I'm so sorry for the long wait. The holiday season was crazy, I couldn't set down to write, once I could... I had a small case of writers block. I won't say this is is my best chapter but hopefully it moves things along.

Sadly I lost my beloved dog yesterday and needed a distraction, so since I couldn't sleep, I wrote. It was going to be much longer but was already pretty lengthy so I think I found a good cut off point. I just really wanted to get an update out.

Again I apologize for the wait.

To say morning brought an awkward silence would be an understatement.

After Dazai had found a suitable shelter for him and Akiko, it was an unspoken decision that Chuuya be on watch duty and that he should keep his distance for the rest of the night. Irately, he'd perched himself on a nearby awning and kept himself occupied by fiddling with the knife Akiko had given him, trying to ignore her distant sobbing. He failed of course, the overwhelming guilt ate away at his heart like a parasite.

What's worse was being back in Suribatchi City only opened those old wounds that never healed. Try as he might, Chuuya just couldn't escape the onslaught of memories that came back in a rush the moment he set foot back here. Nor could he escape the pain that followed. Not just the pain of his friend's betrayal, but remembering all the times before. Fights with scumbags who challenged the Sheep, going on supply raids with the older kids and seeing the younger ones light up from all the goodies he'd bring home. The rare times he, Shirase, and Yuan would sneak into the city for the cinema or arcade, and the times he and Yuan would sneak away to somewhere secluded to find comfort in each other.

All these thoughts and more only made his stomach churn and his frustration grow. Even cigarettes couldn't remedy the raging storm inside. Why did they do it?... Why did 'he' do it? Chuuya had lost count of how many times he'd asked that question. He'd likely never get an answer.

Akiko was uncharacteristically quiet all morning. Missing the vigor that made her shine brighter than the sun. Instead her violet eyes were red and puffy with dark circles underneath, she walked slower, lagging a few paces behind, and she refused to look Chuuya in the eyes, making his heart sink lower.

Dazai didn't seem any different but Chuuya couldn't care less about him. However, he did take note of the way the prince would glance over his shoulder every now and then. He wasn't looking at Akiko, it was more like he was checking for something. Chuuya would've been annoyed had he not been doing the exact same thing. He couldn't shake the ueased feeling of being watched, and Dazai must've felt the same. He wouldn't say anything but kept his senses sharp.

They were nearing the ominous tower, treading along various stone stairs and trash laden alleyways. Upon reaching the base they came across a ridge that Chuuya was going to lead them around but something below caught the Dazai's eye...

"What's that?" He said, not even hesitating to hop down the ridge to investigate with Akiko immediately following her brother, maneuvering down with flawless grace as if it were the easiest thing to do in red heels. Leaving Chuuya to sigh heavily before joining them.

Dazai knelt over a black starburst pattern, scaring the remnants of what was probably once a concrete walkway. Worn but still very visible, with a clear ring at the center like something had

been standing there while flames whirled around it. But Dazai guessed it was someone who'd been at the center.

"That looks like the burn mark the old boss left behind in our vaults the other day." Akiko recognized.

Dazai nodded in agreement. "Except this one is older. Even older than when the sightings started." He lifted his head. "And that's not all, look over there." The prince pointed to a large jagged chunk of discarded stone several meters away and Akiko gasped upon noticing the long, deep gash, scoring it like an animal claw.

And it wasn't the only one.

They were surrounded by identical abrasions, as well as ricochet marks from bullets and pieces of rock that had been sliced clean through like butter. When the princess inspected it closer, she noted how the cut was similar to that of a scythe she had mounted on her office wall. She had a variety of weapons and had tested every single one out for research and durability. Whatever made these cuts had to be at least five times bigger than the scythe she had at home, and unbelievably heavey. Something a normal human couldn't wield. Dread started settling in her stomach.

Chuuya had kept his distance from his royal charges, conducting his own inspection on another wall until Dazai got an idea.

"Chuuya, make yourself useful for once and upturn the ground surrounding this scorch mark."

"Sorry, do I look like a piece or construction equipment, Asshole?" Chuuya sneered.

"No. You look like the worms they dug up." Dazai retorted with a snicker that only aggregated Chuuya more. "Now get to it." He pointed to the desired spot, expectantly.

"I don't take orders from you!" Chuuya said, stomping forward.

The ground around Dazai trembled like a small earthquake but then large chunks of damp earth rose from the ground, encircling the prince with dust, pebbles, and…

"Bingo!" Dazai exclaimed, snatching several rusty pieces of metal from the air. Bullets. Just as he suspected. He waved Chuuya away like he'd done his job and was excused. It took every ounce of willpower for Chuuya not to stomp the prince into the dirt.

"Sis, look at these."

Akiko gasped, immediately recognizing the brand of ammunition despite the dirt and wear from the elements. "These are-- Dazai, these are Grau Geist rounds."

"I know." Dazai agreed then gestured all around. "This was a battlefield… and not just for rival street gangs looking for more territory."

"What the hell are Grau Geist rounds? Chuuya asked and Dazai sighed.

"Really? Do you know anything or is there nothing but hot air in your head?"

"How about I bash your brains in and see if you can still make cheap insults?" Chuuya retorted.

Dazai rolled his eyes and held up a bullet for Chuuya to see. "These came from a Grau Geist Pistol." He explained like one would to a child. "They were standard issue to the European forces during the great war. Mori has one as a trophy from a regiment he and Fukuzawa annihilated." Dazai rolled the pointed piece of metal between his fingers. "They were discontinued after the war. Ammunition would be difficult to find even on the black market. But these are genuine articles, not just anyone would have them now."

"Meaning whatever happened here, possibly involved someone from the great war." Akiko stated. "But how? There's no way European soldiers could get into Yokohama without dad's knowledge, not even mercenaries go under his radar."

"Except this isn't Yokohama, Sis, it's Suribatchi City." Dazai pointed. "Even back when he ran the underground clinic, dad had limited information on the happenings here. There's no telling who could have slipped through the cracks… or what." He faced the mark on the ground again. "I can't say for certain when, but the battle that occurred here was sometime ago. Possibly years. Everything is just speculation right now but my gut tells me the recent anomalies regarding the old boss are not as recent as we believe."

"And do you think it involves Arahabaki?" Akiko asked. And Chuuya visibly tensed behind her.

"Who knows?..." Dazai huffed, tossing his sister the bullets. "Let's try collecting what evidence we can here for our forensics team back home."

Akiko nodded then started rummaging through her bag for the materials needed. She noticed her brother's frowned expression and knew he was having an internal debate. "Go on and have a look around." She encouraged him. "I'll get the samples."

Dazai scowled, glancing over at Chuuya-- who was now focusing on the scorch pattern-- then back to his sister, unsure. "Are you sure, Sis?"

The implications in his voice made her roll her eyes. "Of course I'm sure. Go on, I'll be fine." She insisted, but Dazai still hesitated.

"I won't be long." He assured her and gave Chuuya a warning glare when he noticed the gravity user watching him leave the scene.

Once alone, Akiko made herself busy sorting the supplies and tools needed for collecting samples. She even pulled out a camera and took pictures of the score marks and star pattern while Chuuya looked on, inwardly wrecking his brain for what to say. He knew he should apologize but he'd never been good at those. For all he knew he'd end up making the situation worse. The long awkward silence only added to his frustration and he had little patience for beating around the bush.

"I'm sorry." Akiko blurted, bringing Chuuya out of his internal debate. The princess looked quite solemn, biting her bottom lip, as if she too was struggling to find the right words. "What happened yesterday… I know you meant well but I… Well anyway, it wasn't your fault." She said, meeting his dubious stare with her forlorn one. Apparently apologies weren't her strong suit either. "I'm sorry if I… or Dazai made it seem like it was. That wasn't fair to you."

For a while, Chuuya just stared at her, unsure how to respond. It reached the point where Akiko started to feel uncomfortable and tried focusing on less intense things like the bits of gravel under her feet.

"You've got nothing to apologize for," He shrugged. "What happened yesterday wasn't any of my business, you don't need to explain… And as much as I hate the Walking Bag of Bandages, I'm glad he was here for you when you needed him. Even if he is a giant asshole."

A faint smile graced Akiko's lips before melting away to shame and averting her eyes. She hated showing weakness even if Chuuya wasn't judging her, she'd been reprimanding herself for her hysterical episode since she'd finally gained lucidity. Honestly, she wouldn't blame him if he thought she was stark raving mad. But why did she care about what he thought of her so much anyways?

Chuuya must've picked up on her inner turmoil because his next words were so reassuring. "Besides, we all have demons to fight. It's nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you have the will to tell them to 'fuck off.'" His tone was sympathetic, and the look in his eyes revealed a grim cognizance. As if he understood all too well what it was like to fear your own subconscious.

It made Akiko peek with interest; about to ask him to elaborate his meaning… until she noticed something odd he didn't seem to. A bright red dot buzzing on Chuuya's hat before stopping right in the center of his head. It took half a second for the princess to recognize the anomaly and act.

"Duck!"

Dazai kicked a tin can out of his way as he continued his excursion. Hands tucked firm into his coat pockets. While he didn't like leaving his little sister alone in her current state-- especially with the pint sized hot head giving her pathetic dreamy eyes all the time-- he always got the best results when left to his own delving. He'd always had a knack for looking where most wouldn't and seeing things in ways nobody would think possible. These were only a couple in the long list of reasons that led the heir to the throne of night becoming the youngest executive at the Agency back when was only fifteen years old.

He hadn't even entered high school yet but had earned power and authority in a corporate industry second only to its CEO's. Any other teenager would have flaunted that kind of power and brought ruin and embarrassment to both themselves and the corporations they represented, however, Dazai flourished. His lenient code of ethics, unhinged mind, and unorthodox manner of handling things was some of the Agency's greatest assets. Yokohama was all the better with it.

That didn't mean he was speared ridicule or accusation, quite the opposite. But anyone who challenged him quickly learned that his position wasn't just for show. Time and time again the prince proved himself a ruthless, cunning, ingenious force of nature. His father would often vaunt about his internal darkness being a radiant glow in comparison to Dazai's.

Hence why It was common practice within the Agency to fear the prince as much as respect him.

After wandering around the base of the tower, he hadn't found much of anything really, but he wasn't sure yet what it was he was supposed to be looking for, only that he'd know it when he found it. He took note of the abrasions rippling the land, hunks of stone and pipe being pushed away from the crater. Littered formations created from the blast wave sixteen years ago. One such formation had intrigued Dazai the moment he'd noticed it from below.

As he thought, the misshapen, rubble-crafted hill was an excellent vantage point overlooking the ridge, specifically the center where the faded scorch pattern was. He saw Akiko busy taking photos of the scene while the slug fidgeted unadroitly behind her. Predictable…

Given how those large cut marks were facing forward, away from where he was standing, and the trajectory of the bullets he'd found scattered… a hypothesis was starting to take root in the prince's mind. It was only speculation at the moment but It had been Dazai's experience that about 99% of the time, his speculations and hypotheses were correct. "If I were a puppet master, this is exactly where I'd want to pull the strings." He thought aloud. "Question is, why was this my stage and who was I performing for?"

He glanced around again, etching the terrain in his mind. Every intricate detail, searching for the single out of place needle in a sea of garbage and rust that held the key. Several long minutes

passed and he decided to move on, plodding along with no clear set path as his mind raced with various theories from the collected information thus far and the outcomes they'd yield.

He hadn't expected to literally step on his metaphorical needle, but when his foot made contact with the discarded gun, Dazai piqued with interest.

Judging by the condition, it had been laying out here for some time. He could tell the magazine was empty by the weight. Not a Grau Geist Pistol but clearly an older model, outmoded by thirty--possibly forty years he'd guess. He might have thought it irrelevant had he not noticed something peeking from under the caked dirt and brushed it off as best he could.

An inscription engraved into the side of the barrel that Dazai carefully traced the kanji's, reading...

We Are Mimic

He knitted his brows, bemused. Wondering if this was of any significance.

Unfortunately his analysis was cut short by someone clearing their throat behind him and pressing the barrel of an assault rifle to the back of his head.

Delight morphed Dazai's expression, lips curling with amusement as he carefully pocketed the gun.

"Well now… You were taking so long that I was beginning to think you'd never show up."

Akiko reacted fast.

"Duck!" She shouted, taking Chuuya by surprise when she tackled him to the ground before the sniper bullet could strike its intended target and falling on top of him with aegis.

Chuuya grunted from the impact but otherwise welcomed her warm weight; smirked when he noticed her concerned expression. "Not that I'm complaining, but I think you should know I like being on top."

All concern vanished in the princess' soft features, replaced with annoyance. "So do I." She quipped. "But considering you were about to have your head blown off, I didn't think you'd care."

Something red glinted passed Chuuya's eye and he quickly rolled them away from the second bullet, now it was him on top shielding Akiko. Both slightly flustered but unharmed. His new hat hadn't been so lucky as the projectile grazed the rim, making him curse then heft himself and the princess to their feet.

Another shot fired but he didn't try to evade it, instead he raised his right hand and halted the ammunition.

Akiko nearly shuddered from the way Chuuya's eyes darkened, and the enthralled grin curving his mouth. "Well, isn't this Déjà vu…" He sneered, gloved fingers grasping the bullet, then facing where it had been fired. "Except I'm not high on elephant tranquilizers now, you bastards!" He shouted, then the area erupted with gravity and dozens of armed assailants emerged at the top of the ridge. Defying the laws of physics by flying high in the air then plummeting back to earth in broken heaps.

Seconds later more ran to the edge of the ridge twice as armed and all aimed for the same chortling redhead who spied the GSS emblem on their uniforms.

The government forces had arrived.

"This is perfect!" Chuuya exclaimed. "I owe you sons a'bitches payback for five years ago. Let's see if you fair as well against gravity as your pals did."

"Not so fast A5158!"

That voice…

A new figure cut through the wall of GSS men, dressed in a tailored brown suit and loafers, pushing his glasses back in place. A man Chuuya and Akiko recognized as Ango Sakaguchi, Director Taneda's right hand man and the one who had literally killed Chuuya.

"You!" Chuuya growled.

Ango didn't seem the least bit fazed by how the former Inmate glared at him like he wanted to rip him to shreds. Being a government official, he was quite used to that look. He cleared his throat to address the two below. "Before you go and slaughter all of us, A5158…" Rage filled Chuuya's eyes from the use of his identification number in prison. "... I think the doctor might be interested to see someone."

Ango motioned behind him and the GSS members stepped aside as another tailored suit-sporting man with a goatee walked up pointing a gun at Dazai's head.

"Dazai!" Akiko surged past Chuuya I alarm but stopped when several red lasers coagulated on her chest.

"Sorry sis. They took me by surprise and got me." The Prince said with a smile, he had his hands raised in submission for good measure. Fortunately his sister knew him well enough to know that meant they hadn't taken by surprise and he was just playing along like they had. She relaxed then turned her attention back to Ango.

"So what's your angle? Trying to use my brother as a bargaining tool?"

"We simply wish to talk, Doctor. We mean you no harm." Ango said, apathetic.

"That's a bit of an oxymoron, Doc-Glasses." Chuuya stepped in. "If sending a sniper after me and the Princess qualifies as you not meaning us harm, I'd hate to see what you consider malevolent."

"I did not authorize that attack, A5158." Ango asserted. "Matter of fact, I had no knowledge of the conspiracy until this very moment."

"Like I believe that." Chuuya scuffed.

"The sniper was under my orders, A5!" Said the man holding Dazai at gunpoint. "A menace like you shouldn't be wandering freely."

"I won't argue with you there." Dazai mumbled.

Chuuya looked the man over, "And just who the hell are you?"

"I'm under no obligation to answer."

"That's enough Takuichi!" Ango scolded. "You had no right to undermine my authority, you know why we're here."

"B--but sir… I…"

"Quite! Lower your weapon." His tone left no room for debate. Takuichi wanted to protest but couldn't disobey his superior, slowly he lowered his gun and Dazai put on a show of sighing with relief. "I apologize for my subordinates incompetence. He'll be punished accordingly, I assure you."

Dazai huffed. "That's OK. I understand wanting the loudmouth twerp dead, however…" The prince shifted his weight and right hooked Takuichi, "Putting my sister carelessly in the line of fire is not something I'm willing to overlook." He ignored the wailing man nursing his broken nose and soaking his pristine suit with blood, to turn back to Ango, his former lighthearted expression returning. "You should keep your underlings on tighter leashes, but I'm not judging." Dozens of firearms directed at him but Dazai just smirked. "Put those down before you hurt yourselves."

Ango waved for the GSS to stand down, while they obeyed, they weren't about to relax, especially when Dazai motioned for Ango to join him at the bottom of the ridge with Akiko and

Chuuya. Once they were where they could speak on semi-civil terms, Dazai was first to cut through the tension.

"Well then, if the GSO is here, that can only mean one thing…"

"Yes. The Ministry has been made aware of the current phenomenon regarding the former boss of the Port Mafia." Ango confirmed. "There was a rather disturbing incident early this morning at the Museum where this year's charity ball was to be held" He handed Dazai a case file, his eyes widened momentarily upon first glance of the contents before returning impassive.

"I see." Dazai said, passing the file to his sister. "Let me guess, this has been sanctioned under the Metropolitan Police's jurisdiction?" Ango nodded.

Beside him, Akiko gasped at the gruesome crime scene photos Dazai had just examined. Not from the horrid sight of dismembered body parts strategically arranged to form some strange symbol in the center of what would've been the dancefloor for the ball, but because she recognized the severed heads of the victims in the close up shots. They were Agency members. Stealth trainees who had been promising candidates for Hirotsu's Black Lizard Unit. She'd treated their injuries personally and even gave them pointers regarding one on one knife fights.

They had been so promising and full of life… but that life had been cut short. As if that wasn't enough, their bodies had been cut up into pieces for some sick contemporary art, the doctor was practically shaking with anger. She chose to focus less on the body parts and more on the image they were creating. What is that, a mouse?

The connected circles and grinning face certainly made it appear so. She hadn't noticed Chuuya peering over her shoulder, eyes widening but forcing himself not to react lest he arouse suspicion. "What in the world happened?" Akiko asked, struggling to keep her nausea at bay.

"We're not entirely sure." Ango said. "Forensics tell us they were murdered and dismembered elsewhere then taken to be displayed at the museum. We've yet to locate the true crime scene, nor can we say for certain if Agency members were targeted specifically or if it was an unfortunate coincidence. Aside from the ritualistic display no other substantiations have been located. However…" Ango removed his cellphone and proceeded to show the siblings a hazy film. "This surveillance feed was captured last night in the east wing of the museum. The timestamp is approximately two hours after the assumed time of death of the victims." The image of a quiet dimly lit marble tiled room with various masterpieces hanging on the walls took a dramatic turn when a burst of black light erupted in the center and the former Port Mafia boss emerged looking exactly as he had in the other surveillance feed. He turned towards the camera and grinning before the feed went dead.

Akiko tensed, grinding her teeth, but Dazai never lost his nonchalant composer. "The press must be having a field day." He said. "This'll also damper preparations for the ball."

"So far, we've managed to contain the media coverage, for the moment the incident is being perceived to the public as a publicity stunt due to excitement surrounding the approaching event. As I'm sure you're aware, the fabrication will not stand for long. Therefore we must locate the source of these atrocities and neutralize them before any more unrest can commence."

"What do you think we're doing out here, sightseeing?" Akiko quipped, making Ango almost distemper.

"Your father informed us of your… expedition, Doctor, once we presented him and his associate with identifications of the deceased. Agency members they may have been, the bodies were still discovered within Ministry jurisdiction, therefore the investigation of their deaths falls on us and the Metropolitan Police. The self proclaimed King's had no choice but to cooperate and divulge any information the Agency might've had."

It took every ounce of willpower the Prince and Princess had not to burst out laughing. Even if their dad and uncle had informed the GSO of why they were in Suribatchi City, there was no way they had divulged everything. Whatever was was only half-truths, especially from their dad. King of the Night, Ogai Mori was a master manipulator who viewed the people around him as pawns, and Yokohama his chessboard. His children could attest to that better than anyone.

"However, we were surprised to learn the actual severity of the situation. While the GSO and the Agency don't see eye to eye, even Director Taneda will relent that the former boss of the Port Mafia arising from the dead is not something to be written off as mere propaganda. And so he sent me here to offer an olive branch of sorts and lend my assistance on the matter." Any other individual might have bought Ango's sincerity. Interpreted his empathetic eyes and even tone as genuine.

Unfortunately for the government operative, Dazai, Akiko, and even Chuuya knew the best liars are the ones that make the lies deceive the liars themselves. Ango Sakaguchi, was without a professional liar. Dazai didn't try to contain his amusement.

"No." Said the prince with a smile.

Ango frowned his brows. "No?"

"Your boss didn't send you here to help us, he sent you to forestall us."

Akiko planted a hand on her hip; sighed heavily. "Honestly, what kind of idiots do you take us for? The reason you're here is to solve the mystery of the old boss before we do, and you're trying to bait us into telling you what our father didn't. Sorry, but not today buddy."

"Obviously we can't stop the government from conducting their own investigation on unsanctioned grounds." Dazai jumped in. "But that just means you can't stop us either, and as

far as I know, we're under no obligation to collaborate with you. We all know you don't have the authorization to force our hands or you wouldn't have played courteous."

For once, Chuuya had to hand it to Dazai. His irrefutable talent for annoying people with his smugness was very amusing when he wasn't on the receiving end of it. The way Ango tried to hide his ire by fiddling with his glasses made the gravity user smirk with satisfaction. Though no amount of fiddling repressed the steady flow of blood running down his chin from biting into his lip.

"The Agency would be wise to cooperate with us on this matter." Ango ground out. "I suggest you hand over any and all evidence you've acquired and return home, for the good of Yokohama."

"No can do." Dazai said. "This just became even more personal. The Agency looks out for its own and unless the King's order us back, we won't abandon our mission. But that doesn't mean this can't be fun, let's think of it as a race to see who can solve the mystery first."

"This isn't a game!" Now Ango's composer was starting to shake. "Does Yokohama's safety mean nothing to you?"

"It means everything to me."

"If that were true you wouldn't be here."

Before Dazai could ask Ango to elaborate his meaning, Chuuya stepped up, exasperated.

"Would you fuck off already." He looked at Ango. "They gave you their answer. Either piss off and leave us alone, or order your men to attack so I can kick the snot out of em."

"That's your solution for everything, isn't A5158?" Ango murmured.

Chuuya tensed, red energy starting to emanate from his body. "Call me that one more time, Foureyes. I dare you. Let's see you try challenging gravity."

The GSS readied their guns before Dazai sighed and touched Chuuya's shoulder, neutralizing the cosmic threat.

"As I was about to say before being so rudely interrupted…" Dazai cut his eyes then looked back at Ango, Chuuya barely concealing his temper which Dazai ignored. "You can't stop us from fulfilling our mission, anymore then we can stop you from yours. I'm assuming your orders are to investigate Suribatchi City too, since it's where the phenomenons originated, and that like us, you couldn't just fly into the crater due to the electromagnetic field… am I right?"

Ango averted his eyes , pushing his glasses up. "Something like that…'' He hated admitting the Prince was spot on with some of his assumptions. "The electromagnetic field is proving to be an inconvenience that wasn't here five years ago." Chuuya clenched his jaw, realizing Ango must've been present the night he was apprehended. "Yet another mystery peculiarity this dreadful place has to offer."

"Well then, have fun in the crater, asshats." Chuuya snickered, turning to retrieve his hat. "You bureaucratic clowns won't last five minutes but I'm sure as hell not standing in your way."

"If you're referring to the labyrinth, we're already aware. We've prepared accordingly."

"Ha! I'll bet you have. Learn the hard way, Doc-Glasses. Now…" Chuuya scowled at his two charges. "If we aren't gonna kick their ass', can we get moving? We're not solving anything just standing here."

Akiko nodded in agreement. "Chuuya's right Dazai. We got what we needed here, let's go."

Dazai sighed. "I suppose so. The area's all yours." He told Ango. "But we'll be holding on to this file. Kay, thanks."

"You'll regret this!" Shouted Ango as the trio turned their backs to him. "Not leaving this case to the Ministry is bad enough, but trusting A5158 will be the biggest mistake of your lives!"

Dazai paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "I don't trust him." He didn't care about the daggers Chuuya was glaring. "But the mission comes first, simple as that." Again, Ango was left with his frustration. Unfortunately, the Prince had one last friendly query. "Oh, by the way… What's going to happen with the ball? Surely there's been some setbacks with final preparations, I doubt anyone wants the city's elite fraternizing around a gruesome crime scene."

That piqued Akiko's interest as well. Not because she was looking forward to the event, but because she had a sneaking suspicion her brother already knew the answer and was using it as another way to get under Ango's skin.

Clearing his throat, the government agent--not only confirmed her theory-- managed to moderately surprise her with the response as well.

"The charity masquerade ball will still be held according to schedule…"

Wait for it, Dazai wanted to say.

"However,"

There it is.

"You are correct about this morning's misfortune causing… great disarray for the Board of Directors and City Council, not to mention the event planners who've spent months organizing the occasion. As a result, the museum is no longer a suitable venue. They were forced to relocate to a default location, your father has generously offered. One that apparently eclipses Yokohama's Art Museum with its omnipotence."

It took the Princess a moment to interrupt Ango's meaning, then it hit her and she stumbled for words. "Y-you mean the--"

"That's right sis." Dazai smiled. "This year's ball is going to be held at the casino… The Sky Casino."

"We're almost there. Just a little further and we'll be entering the crater." After leaving their old moralising acquaintance behind to conduct their own investigation of the ridge, the trio was more eager to make headway. Even if Chuuya wasn't thrilled about it, he was intent on solving the ever growing mysteries, if only to have gloating ammo against Ango and the rest of the government forever.

"So Hirotsu had his subordinates tailing Ace?" Akiko asked Dazai, looking over the crime scene photos once more.

"Under my orders." He confirmed. "I wanted him under constant surveillance to be sure he had nothing to do with the sightings. I take full responsibility for their deaths, but we both know Hirotsu won't see it that way." Akiko smiled softly, her brother wasn't the type to wallow in self pity, instead he used tragedy as fuel. She knew once the culprit was caught, the Dark Prince would live up to his nickname and avenge Hirotsu's underlings.

"Doesn't this all but confirm Ace's involvement though?"

"It's all circumstantial right now, Sis. Believe me, I share your enthusiasm but all we can do is speculate. I can say for certain that it wasn't Ace himself who killed them, he never gets his hands that diry."

"You're right about that." Akiko sighed in agreement. Then made another observation. "These cuts are too clean for a saw, and whatever it was cut through bone like butter. But what really puzzles me is the symbol. I've never seen it before."

"Me either."

"I have."

The siblings stopped, taken back by Chuuya's proclamation.

Akiko responded first. "Y-you have?" Chuuya nodded. "Where?"

"In the underground tunnel I found the night I was taken by the GSS." Chuuya explained what recollection he could recall from that night before the tranquilizers took effect. About how he'd punched through a stone wall and found another beneath with the same grinning rat symbol emblematized on it and left when he started feeling groggy headed, and hadn't seen it again till today.

"Yet again, you seem to have some tie in with this case Chuuya." Dazai's lured expression all but pointed an accusing finger. "Just what else will we find the more we dig, I wonder."

"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not behind any of this shit!" Chuuya exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "Whatever's going on's got nothin' to do with me!"

"You say that, but there have been too many coincidences with you and these phenomena. I don't believe in coincidences. But perhaps I'm giving you too much credit… after all, dogs are dumb beast, why would you be any different?"

"You wanna run that by me again, Asshole?" Chuuya growled.

Dazai shrugged, as if to say there's my point. "See, he's so dumb he has to be told twice."

"You son of a--"

"ENOUGH!!!"

Akiko had it. She pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance then stepped between the bickering men, suddenly overcome with her own sense of déjà vu. "God's! You two are almost as bad as Mori and Fukuzawa." She ignored how affronted they looked, pointed at Chuuya. "You, I know you say you're innocent and for the most part, I believe you. But that doesn't mean my brother is wrong about you fitting into the mysterious happenings somehow. Maybe not something you are aware of but definitely a major factor somewhere." Chuuya looked away, pensive.

Then Akiko turned to Dazai, violet eyes searing with anger. "And you!..." He winced as she jabbed a manicured fingernail in his chest, and seeing as she hated using foul language in their native tongue, the Princess chose to scold the Prince in fluent French. "What the actual fuck is wrong with you? Why do you have to make everything so God's damned difficult, huh?"

Dazai pursed his lips, then responded equally as fluent. "Excuse me, what exactly did I do other than state the obvious? He's hiding something, Sis, and we both know it!"

Akiko put a hand on her hip, defiant. "Of course he is, but for now, it's not our business! He's helping us, Dazai, and whether you like it or not, we won't solve this case without him. You calling him a 'dumb dog' will get us nowhere, you jackass."

"He's only helping us because he has no other choice." Dazai said, rolling his eyes. "We still don't know why the government wanted him dead or why they took so long. If you ask me they should've put him down the moment they slapped the cuffs on him!"

"Nobody cares what you think. The most important thing right now is finding whoever's doing this and stopping them. If Chuuya can help accomplish that then so be it. Enough people have died already, big brother. I don't want what happened to us to happen to someone else. So for now pull your damned head out of your ass, put aside your petty judgments, and let's get this done before anyone else gets hurt."

It was always more trouble than it was worth arguing with his little sister, especially when she wore that death glare on her face, but when she played a certain card, Dazai knew it was pointless to try to win the argument. So he reluctantly agreed. "Fine. I'll do my best."

Akiko sighed knowing that was as good as she'd get. "Thank you."

"I still refuse to trust him."

"That's good, cause I'm sure as hell not trusting you, Mackerelface…"

The siblings' eyes nearly fell from their sockets as their attention shot straight to the one who'd joined in on their conversation, French just as fluent as theirs.

Akiko was the first to ask Chuuya… "You speak French?"

"Oui."

How? She wanted to ask but kept from doing so. Mentally bruating herself for even assuming it wasn't possible, of course it was possible, just surprising given Chuuya's upbringing and education, or lack thereof. Dazai wasn't quite as sensitive. Leaning into her ear and switching to another language.

"Still think we can trust him, Sis?"

"I speak English too, fucker."

Dazai blinked, laughing awkwardly. "Noted." Then he smirked. "I'll bet you don't know German though."

Chuuya smirked right back. "You'd lose that bet."

Now they really were flabbergasted. Akiko raised an eyebrow. "What about Mandarin?"

"Ha! Too easy."

"What about Spanish?" Dazai added

"Easier than Mandarin."

Akiko decided to try one more challenge before being completely dumbfounded. Cautiously she spoke in a long forgotten tongue that her adopted father had insisted she learn. "Surely you don't know Latin?"

Chuuya smiled triumphantly. "I'll try not to be offended, Beautiful. Try to be more specific… Old, Archaic, or New? I know them all so take your pick."

The princess filled the air with astonished laughter, like music to Chuuya's ears. "How is that possible?" She asked, no longer able to suppress it.

"Don't know." Chuuya shrugged. "I've just always known what people were saying and how to respond, be it local or… not. It's just… always been part of me."

"It's amazing." She marveled. "Isn't it Dazai?"

Dazai's expression was unreadable, but his eyes fixed Chuuya with a whole new palate of suspicions. Little by little a picture was forming, and he despised every angle. Fortunately, he was saved from further analysis by another unwanted pest. "I don't know much about that, but…" His features turned serious and he switched back to French. "Our shadow is near."

Chuuya scuffed. "I thought we lost him back at the ridge?"

"So did I. Apparently he's persistent."

Akiko tightened her grip on her bag. "He's been following us since this morning, what do we do?"

"Just leave it to me." Dazai as he made a dramatic show of turning on his heels and walking off towards an old barrel like he was answering nature's call.

Chuuya and Akiko stood in silence with the latter tapping his heel in irritation. A few minutes went by and they were about to wonder what Dazai was doing, until he put their concerns to rest when a loud scream broke the silence and its owner came stumbling over himself to get away from his nonchalant pursuer.

Dazai mused as he tossed a rock at the stumbling man's sneaker, tripping him, giving the anti-gifted the perfect chance to grab the guy by the furry scuff of his jacket and drag him back to Chuuya and Akiko. "Now look at what we've got here… a busy bee just buzzing for someone to annoy."

"Let… let me go, you bastard!" The man struggled, Dazai chuckled.

Chuuya went pale, recognizing the voice. Then Dazai dropped the squirming man at his and Akiko's feet and Chuuya was even more alarmed to see a familiar mop of white hair.

The man sat up on his knees, glaring at Dazai. "You're gonna regret that, bastard!"

"I highly doubt that." Dazai grinning.

"Damn straight you are! I'm gonna--"

"Shirase?" Chuuya called.

The man stiffened. Eyes wide and slowly turning to face the redhead. "Ch--Chuuya?..."

The plot thickens!

Chuuya is apparently a man of many talents, how does he know so many languages?

And Shirase is back... but don't expect Chuuya to be to happy about it. Wink...wink...

Seems Dazai found and interesting clue.

And for the Manga readers out there... you didn't think I'd pass up the Sky Casino, did you? Hehe! It may be a ways off but I can guaranty the Ball will be a night to remember. Hehe! I myself, can't wait for it. Hehe

Until next time...