Agents of HIME
Chapter 10
Back at Fuka, earlier that day, Alyssa Searrs, Nao Yuuki and Rena Sayers were having a meal together, Nina shadowing them as required as a bodyguard.
"So," Alyssa gave Nao a look as the younger blond asked archly, "are you serious about being with my Aunt?"
"ALYSSA!" Rena Sayers yelped as Nao nearly choked on her drink.
"It's a reasonable question!" Alyssa defended herself. "Besides, I need to know so I can clear my schedule for the wedding."
"WEDDING?" Rena yelped.
Nina fought back a laugh, the bodyguard listening in.
Nao smirked at her blushing girlfriend, the redhead sipping her drink.
Rena rolled her eyes as the taller, brown haired woman said, "It's a bit soon... we've only been dating a few months."
"Still," Alyssa shrugged, "I want to see you happy."
"Awww," Nao smiled.
Rena reached out and took Nao's hand, "I'm... happy, I'll tell you that."
Nina quietly sighed at how sweet this all was.
"So," Nao leaned forward to ask Rena, "who pops the question, anyway? We're both pretty femme after all."
"We'll draw straws," Rena joked.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"ARGH," Natsuki Kuga groaned as she strode into her suite then flopped back on the bed dramatically.
"Really, Natsuki? Falling down on the job?" an amused voice drawled.
"Eeep," Natsuki jerked up, not having realized that someone was in her room in the hotel they were using in Tokyo.
Shizuru Fujino looked amused, the twenty-something woman sitting in a chair across from her, dressed in a sexy woman's suit that hugged her figure.
"Ms Fujino," Natsuki said, "I didn't realize you were here."
"It's fine," Shizuru waved that off, "and ah did ask you to call me Shizuru."
"Er," Natsuki flushed.
"I heard there was trouble over at Suzushiro?" Shizuru asked.
"Yeah, at a executive meeting one of the staffers tried to attack Yukino with a knife," Natsuki said, frowning.
"No one was hurt?" Shizuru checked.
Natsuki noted her casual tone, "I'm assuming you already know."
"I received an early report," Shizuru admitted.
"I shot the assistant with a stun bullet before he could reach her," Natsuki admitted. She sighed, "We're lucky he wasn't closer."
Shizuru gave a questioning look, "You sound concerned."
"Just wondering why the man brought his assistant, and if they sat near Yukino deliberately," Natsuki admitted.
"You think it was a plot," Shizuru nodded.
"Well, maybe," Natsuki said.
Shizuru said, "I'll have our people look into it, but you do have to watch out for professional paranoia, too."
"Oh?" Natsuki asked.
"I mean, I could have arranged to assign you to protect Haruka, assuming that you would fail," Shizuru pointed out, "getting her killed and therefore using my influence and stocks in taking over Suzushiro."
Natsuki jerked, "WHAT."
Shizuru smiled wryly, "Not that I would, obviously."
"Don't DO that," Natsuki groaned.
Shizuru just chuckled.
Natsuki sat up, her long black hair slightly messy. "Should I check in with Miss Haruka? They told me I was off duty...," she admitted.
"I met with them earlier," Shizuru smirked. "They were... planning a night alone together, shall we say," she laughed.
"Er, right. I'll leave them alone," Natsuki decided.
Shizuru got up, then hesitated, "Ah was thinking of getting dinner. It would be nice to have some company."
Natsuki looked a bit surprised dy the offer, then nodded, "Sure."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Reito Kanzaki waved, "Hello Mai. How's my cousin?"
Mai gave him an unfriendly look, "Mikoto is fine, asshole."
"That's a little harsh," Reito defended himself.
"The ONLY time you bring up being related to Mikoto is when you need something," Mai pointed out flatly.
Reito really couldn't argue that. He and Mikoto were related, but rather distantly, and he didn't feel that much of a bond with her. She, on the other hand, looked up at him like a surrogate big brother, and he was willing to use that.
"I actually wanted to talk to you, about how she is doing," Reito added.
Mai looked at him dubiously, "Oh?"
"I only recently found out you two were... involved," Reito admitted. At her surprised look he added, "I've been on extended assignment."
Mai nodded slightly, "I had heard from Nao you were undercover with District One."
"Exactly," Reito agreed. He gave Mai a searching look as he asked her, "Are you... serious about Mikoto?"
Mai was faintly surprised he seemed sincere in asked. 'Though he IS a very good actor,' she reminded herself.
"Hmm?" he cleared his throat.
"Sorry," Mai smiled as she explained, "I'm VERY serious anout Mikoto. Heck, I introduced her to my family recently."
Reito nodded, "Good. Mikoto and I, we're both rather estranged from our families, so I'm happy they like her." Curiously he asked her, "Does your family know what we actually DO here at HIME?"
"Broadly," Mai admitted.
"Well, take care of Mikoto, please," Reito squeezed her shoulder then strode off.
Mai looked after him, wondering what he was up to...
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Mashiro Kazahana waited calmly for his guest to arrive. Her wheelchair had been moved to the sun room of her rambling home, and tea and biscuits were ready to eat. Fumi, as usual, quietly waited beside her.
The seemingly young man entered, a faint smile on his face as he said, "Mashiro, dear big sister. Been awhile."
"Nagi," Mashiro nodded stiffly.
Nagi Homura smiled as he said, "Did you HAVE to try to kill me, again? It's such a pain."
"I did NOT. You might want to clean house with your own allies," Mashiro sniffed as Fumi poured them both tea.
"Should I kill him for insulting you, ma'am?" Fumi asked her mildly.
Nagi tensed but Mashiro quickly said, "No, not necessary."
"Did you HAVE to blow my base to hell retrieving Saeko Kuga?" Nagi asked bitterly as he drank his tea,
"Saeko had to buy we were really rescuing her," Mashiro noted. "We don't want her realizing I paid you to kidnap her so I could 'rescue' her."
"Any progress? Her serum could make us billions," Nagi noted.
"A lot of cancerous test animals," Mashiro growled. "But one case HAS survived, so clearly there is a route to it working," she added.
"Fair enough." Nagi nodded, then they went over various business, the sort of stuff that would have shocked her 'partners' Shizuru and Haruka.
"More cookies?" Fumi asked.
Nagi shook his head, "No, I should get out of here. I'll get my aide and go."
On cue Reito Kanzaki entered, "Mr Homura, we're ready to go. And thank you for letting me check on my cousin..."
Nagi waved that off, "No problem. It's best to keep loyal staff happy."
"Good luck," Mashiro nodded, "we'll meet again in six months."
"Got it," Nagi nodded and the two left.
To be continued...