I love this fic! :)

Murciélago

Chapter Five

It was around two in the morning, the air cold on anyone's skin. Artemis was on the Western end of Hueco Mundo. She wasn't familiar with this edge of town, nor did she plan to be. She just sat in the front seat of her car, wearing a black trench coat over her standard work outfit: a brown blazer with a white blouse underneath as well as a pair of black pants and boots. Next to her was her backpack, filled with the files and notes she had on the Dashing Demon. Also with it were video recordings and newspaper clippings of her captain, as well as three envelopes.

A knock suddenly came at the driver's side window. Turning her head, she saw a man in a red leather jacket with electric blue hair leaning against her car. Lowering the window, she waited patiently for what the man had to say. After a brief pause, he asked: "See the birds flying tonight?"

She smirked at the man, and replied: "Only the ones running away from the panthers." The man smirked in return, pleased with the answer. He nodded his head, an order to come out.

Artemis followed, taking her backpack and leaving the keys in the ignition. They shook hands as if they were good friends before moving to hug one another. To onlookers, they made a cute pair. But, that was only because they couldn't hear what the man was whispering into her ear. "There's a bench on the next street to your right. Sit there, wait for a white car to blink its lights four times, then approach from the passenger side. He'll lower the window and ask you why you came, to which you'll reply: "For a sip of darkness." He will unlock the door, you'll get in, hand him his money, then he'll drive off. From there, you listen to what he tells you to do."

The woman nodded once, parting from the stranger with a smile before walking to the bench in question and letting him drive off with her car. She sat on the cold, black metal seating arrangement, then waited for her ride. It wasn't a bad wait at first, but it was still the ironic setting of night. A few gusts of wind and scatter of leaves, and she was very aware of the fact that she was alone and anyone could pop out at any given moment.

Sometime after, a white car across the street flashed its lights four times. Artemis stood, crossing the street and making it to the car as the passenger side window rolled down. It was dark, but the man inside wore glasses, and had rather bright hair. "What did a pretty thing like you come out here for?" The man asked casually.

Artemis smirked. "For a sip of darkness." The man smirked, unlocking the door for her and waiting for her to get inside. The blunette hopped in, closing the door before moving for her bag. She took out the first envelope and handed it to him. The driver took it, opened it and looked over the bills.

A few moments passed, but the man put the envelope in his jacket pocket. "Buckle up." She did so, and they drove off.

The drive was quiet for the most part, no music played, no words exchanged. She noticed that more warehouses were coming into view, making her a bit concerned. "Relax." He ordered, getting her glare in response. "Our boss doesn't take chances, as you know. Tiburón did a nice investigation of homicide, and revealed they weren't trying to infiltrate us. However, he's still too careful. Every client is searched head to toe before being driven off to see him. We're just going somewhere private where it can be done." He explained.

At hearing this, Artemis straightened her posture, crossing her arms. She didn't like this; it just seemed set up to kill her without anyone noticing.

They soon entered a garage to one of the warehouses, where three women stood waiting for them. Just ten feet away from them, the driver parked the car. "Listen to them if you want your appointment to go well." He instructed her.

Taking that as her cue to get out, Artemis grabbed her bag and approached the three. The tallest one was rather robust, with dark skin and long brown hair. The second, who was quite a few inches shorter, had short ebony black hair and had third was slightly shorter than the second, with long green hair and a much slimmer figure.

Artemis didn't greet them, nor did she ask for their names. Instead, she resigned her bag to the floor, holding her hands up where they could be seen. The women took the hint, the tallest one moving to search Artemis while the other two looked through her bag. "Clear." The first one said.

"Same." Said the second.

Looking down at her, the first woman said: "You can put your arms down now." Artemis did so, only to lift them again at being handed her bag back. "Follow us."

And she did, quietly passing through the halls before stopping in front of a door. The first woman opened it and walked inside, leaving the other two to shut the door. The room was small, and had few things in it. A couple chairs, a table, and a cooler. There was a red light coming from a corner in the ceiling, which Artemis quickly gave the stink eye to. "Infrared camera." The lady told her.

The cop raised her brow. "We've had some pretty strange bugs in the past, and that's made for a few close calls. That camera is connected to the boss so he knows we're following through with protocol, while at the same time, providing you some privacy." She explained.

Blinking once, Artemis quickly stated: "He wants me to strip so you can search my clothes for hidden cameras or mics."

The woman's lips tightened for a minute before saying: "You've got half of it." Seeing Artemis still confused, she continued. "Some people get...creative, with their systems, so we have to do a thorough search."

The detective quickly became bug-eyed at realizing what the lady was referring to. For a second, she was about to say something but ended up shaking her head. "Fine." She said, stripping down to her birthday suit, handing the clothes to the woman as she did so. The woman took quick notice of Artemis' scars, and rather grave reluctance to the task. So, once completely nude, the cop was given a beer out of the cooler, which she accepted gratefully.

The woman folded the cop's clothes before putting a hand on her chin. "Hold still." She instructed. The taller female checked Artemis' ears, her eyes, ruffled her hair, even opened her mouth to make sure nothing was in her teeth. The exam was not complete then, though. "Stand up." She did so, and without warning, the woman's fingers began exploring her vagina.

Whimpering filled the room. "Uncle, what are you-?"

A slap rang through the room. "Shut up. You're my bitch, and you'll make only the sounds I tell you to!"

The woman's fingers were removed, making Artemis let out the breath she didn't know she was breathing. The woman gave her back her clothes, an apologetic expression on her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered to the cop before leaving the room to let her get dressed.

For a few minutes, Artemis just stood there, getting her breathing under control. She looked at the camera in the room, noticing that it was still on. Once her breath was steady, she began getting dressed; zipping up her coat before stepping out.

The three women were all still there, but their hardened gazes were a bit softer now. "Follow me." The third woman spoke for the first time, handing the cop her bag. Artemis did so; walking until they were outside the building. A black car was pulled up in front of it, the engine running. "Give the driver his money, and listen to what she tells you to do."

That didn't go unnoticed. Two people? Why would they have a second passenger in there?

Regardless, she nodded at the woman and opened the passenger door. Shutting the door and putting down her bag, Artemis took quick notice of the driver. He had darker skin than the last one, he was much more muscular, and he was bald.

The man began driving once Artemis was buckled and the money was passed to him. They drove for all but ten minutes before Artemis began talking. "That woman said you had instructions for me. Is that not true, Señorita Tiburón?"

The car stopped, and pretty soon, the cop felt the barrel of a gun at her side. "How'd you know my alias? Or that it was me, for that matter?" A strict feminine voice from behind asked her.

Artemis smirked. "Mere conjecture. The first driver mentioned your name, Tiburón. He specifically said you looked into my department planning an ambush, meaning you either know one of my coworkers, or you work there also. The latter would make the most sense as to why you wouldn't want me to see you. I don't know your voice, you know, but you have a mind in you to think I'd know your face. It's the only reason I can think that Señor Murciélago wouldn't want you to be driving."

The cop could feel the shark's glare at her back. "The boss doesn't like potential clients trying to unravel things, detective. I'd advise against it if you want his help."

The latter sighed. "Force of habit, Señorita. I can't guarantee that I won't find pieces, nor that I won't look for them. But even if I can finish the puzzle, I won't be showing the end result to anyone your boss wouldn't want seeing. You have my word." Artemis stated calmly.

It was silent for a few minutes, every second making the atmosphere more tense. Artemis thought nothing of it, she just crossed her legs, folded her arms and closed her eyes. She would have been shot by now if they were going to do her any harm, and they wouldn't drive her home if she knew where their warehouse was. They wouldn't plop her on the street either; if she was killed out there, it would lead the police to the boss.

Finally, the gun was moved away, the sound of it being put into a holster confirming that Tiburón had calmed down. "I do have instructions. You have a thousand on you for the boss?" Artemis only nodded. There was a pause, but the vehicle soon began moving. "We'll be arriving at a hotel soon. I'll be giving you the key to see him. You will go up the stairs to the fifth floor and unlock the door. You'll put the key on the table nearby, but you will not turn on the lights. You will walk into the darkness of the room, and say the according."

Tiburón must have nodded at the driver, for he put a piece of paper in her lap. Artemis could make out the phrase, and soon found herself smirking again. "Understood, Señorita."

They pulled up to a hotel soon. It wasn't a cheap place, but it wasn't four star quality. This was especially proven true when Artemis was handed the room key. That in being, it was a key with a tag on the chain, numbering: 507. That was Artemis' cue to get out.

Taking her stuff with her, Artemis moved past the front desk and made it to the stairs. Climbing up ten flights wasn't ideal, but it didn't take her long to realize why. The stairs had cameras, but they didn't belong to the hotel. Murciélago was very careful in protecting himself, which was understandable. She could only hope that dealing with all of the paranoia was would be worth it.

She made it to the fifth floor, finding room 507 at the end of the hallway to the left. As instructed, she unlocked the door, placed the key on the nightstand, and just walked inside. The lack of light bothered her, specifically because she was aware that there was at least one other person in the room. Regardless, she took a deep breath before speaking calmly: "Perdone, pero tengo una cita con el Señor Murciélago."

A prick was felt at her neck; the sound of the door shutting being the last thing she could recall.

Finally, an update! Sorry if I kept anyone waiting, I just have a lot going on right now.

Well, until next time!
~ K. Fang-sama