Blueeddevil06, thank you for being my beta!
Kunzite walked next to Nephrite as they made their way to Diamond's headquarters. Jadeite and Zoisite were following closely so they could all whisper. They had werewolf hearing, but they had to be careful that no one knew what they were talking about. He asked, "how did you find Yamato?"
Nephrite frowned, "dumb luck. It was too fucking close. I happened to overhear that Akito was tasked with getting rid of him."
"Warehouse by the abandoned house in Kabukicho*. He gets off on the killing and then finds a whore afterward," Zoisite said.
"Yup, got it in one. Just like I did, luckily. Yamato was only shot in the leg. You know Akito's M.O. The next move is always a double tap to the head."
Kunzite nodded, "well done. I assume Yamato's healed."
"Yeah, Makoto gave him some of her blood after I dug the bullet out. He took it well for having my fingers in his bullet wound."
Jadeite then asked, "can it lead back to you? I know you're capable of being careful, but there wasn't much time for planning."
"Lucky for me, Makoto is amazing. Know how Ayame hates Akito? Well, she compelled Ayame to confess tonight. It won't lead back to me."
Kunzite smiled, "and she's justified that in her head because he's the go-to when you want a child murdered."
"We know he took out the Sohma heir when his uncle wanted to take over the company," Nephrite replied. "He even bragged about it; it's just proving that that was the problem. And that wasn't the only child he killed by far." He then looked at his watch and said, "he's confessed by now. I'm in the clear."
Kunzite sighed out defeatedly, "I fucked this all up as pack leader. How did I have us working with such scum?!"
"It's not like one of us objected," Zoisite said. "And we only took out other evil people. As bad as everyone else around us was, we never once hurt an innocent. And without what we did, Yamato would be dead."
"We didn't do this to save him," Kunzite countered.
Nephrite said, "no, we didn't. But it's still a fact that he would be dead. We all chose to join, and we all decided to get out. Let's move forward."
Jadeite added, "Kunz, when Nephrite is telling you to stop brooding, you know you've gone too far." That got a chuckle out of all of them.
"I'm in too good a mood," Nephrite admitted. "As absolutely shit as this day has been, I marked Makoto yesterday, and today she fought by my side. She got to see me save a man."
"And kill two," Jadeite added unhelpfully.
"We saved the good guy. That's what matters."
"So, Kunz, mark anyone lately?" Jadeite teased, strutting. "Seems like you're last."
Kunzite looked over his shoulder at Jadeite and said, "I can be patient for my mate. After all, someone has to keep a clear head moving forward. Plus, the girls aren't saying anything yet, but something bigger is going on. Ami acts like they are expecting someone else to come. I'm figuring whoever that is will be my mate. There is too much coincidence otherwise."
Nephrite looked at Zoisite and Jadeite. "Ami has admitted more is going on, but she's respecting Usagi's secrets. Is it the same with you guys?" They both nodded.
"Well, I have a feeling all the secrets will come out soon. With this terror attack, things will have to change," Kunzite said. "We'll all need to be working together." He grew quiet for a bit and then added, "That said, I want you all working on reports for Usagi. We offer up what we know first. I want her updated on everything. That bastard blew up the fucking police station!" He sighed and then added, "today was the day. If we hadn't been working with Usagi, today was the day of no return. She would have put us on her list to kill with Diamond, and we'd probably have been the first she came after since we know where Mamoru lives."
They walked in silence the rest of the way to headquarters as they drew closer. They didn't want to risk being overheard. They also wanted to be able to listen as people passed by. It was imperative they pick up on any and everything they could.
Rei sat in front of the Great Fire begging for a vision that wasn't coming. She searched her mind for every way to get one. None of it worked.
After thirty minutes, she felt someone sit down next to her. She was shocked when Mars spoke. "What are you doing, daughter?"
"They killed so many people," she said, crying. She opened her eyes and looked at him as the light of the flames danced over him. "So many. I'm looking for what I need to do."
"Get off your butt."
"What?"
He rolled his eyes at her. "Get off your butt and do something. You have who you need. You are my daughter, born for battle and action. Why sit still?"
"I need to know what to do!" She said desperately.
He scoffed. "You know what to do. Stop that abomination who calls himself Diamond. He is in violation of the very magic you are the embodiment of. You don't need a vision. You need a battle plan. And, you have the very group you need around you to come up with one."
"What about Venus?" She asked. "Don't we need her too?"
"Yes, and she's coming. But first, she needs to discover something. Then she will help you have the tools for future battles. She will come when she is needed. It's the way it is." He began to fade as he said, "go, child. And kick some major ass."
When she stepped out, Grandpa was waiting for her, and he asked, "what did you find out?"
She smiled at him and hugged him. "Mars told me to get off my butt and make a battle plan."
Grandpa smiled at her when he pulled back. "Well, it sounds like you have a lot to do."
As she walked away, he wrung his hands. He was terrified over what she had to do, but he wouldn't stand in her way. After all, Mars promised him she was meant for greatness.
Makoto vamp-sped Yamato to his house. This trip could be fast because he didn't have anything on him to carry. Also, he was wearing the same clothes from that morning. His pant leg was still soaked in blood, and she didn't want to draw attention.
When they got to his place, she flopped on the couch and pulled out her cell phone. "Take your time and shower before you pack. You smell like a dingy warehouse."
"There is a reason for that," he replied wryly. He added, "thank you. Really. If it wasn't for you and Nephrite…" he sighed. "I was so sure I was dead."
She looked over at him and said, "we got there in time. Warning. When you get in the shower, you're going to cry like a baby. It's normal. I promise I won't admit to hearing it at all. You went through a lot of physical and emotional trauma today. That shot to your leg broke your femur. The bullet was lodged there. It's all going to hit you once you're doing something normal again."
He leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "I see what you mean. That said, I wasn't without hope. I knew Usagi was out there."
Makoto smiled, "she had us all hunting for you. She knew the guys would be able to come up with the best leads. She's smart and resourceful."
"Is it strange that those guys were shot in front of me, and I don't care?"
She scoffed. "No! It was you or them. That's a good enough reason."
"Thanks."
He then went to shower the blood, sweat, and stink off him, and while he was in there, he wept.
When the four werewolves walked in, they were immediately shown to Diamond's office. Diamond, Emerald, and Sapphire were there. The room reeked of blood and death. Ayame was dead on the floor with his head ripped off.
"You came this evening; why?" Diamond asked.
Kunzite answered like normal for the group. "It wasn't hard to deduce who was behind blowing up the police station. While we didn't know it was coming, we figured it would be best to show up and make ourselves useful. Every government agency will be trying to figure out who is responsible."
"I don't trust your loyalty," Diamond replied. "Werewolves are so difficult to count on. They have too strong of ties to their pack."
Shrugging, Kunzite added, "true, but my whole pack works for you."
Diamond glared at him, "still, you wouldn't kill one of them if I asked you to."
"Do we have a problem?" Kunzite asked.
"No, it's just an observation. I'm considering…" Diamond turned to Jadeite. "You were going to be tasked with this tomorrow, but I want you to devise a plan to get us more into the drug trade. I want the territories around us. It's time to expand."
Jadeite smiled, "and with the police force scrambling, it's a perfect time. I'll have something to you by…" he looked expectantly at Diamond. It was Sapphire who answered. "You have six days to devise a plan that won't fail. You could do it in less time," he looked at Diamond. "And I know you want it sooner, but," turning back to Jadeite, he said, "you have one chance to execute this flawlessly. Fail, and you die."
Diamond grumbled, "I'm not a patient man, Sapphire."
"The police won't have their shit together in two weeks; if you give him six days, that gives him time to be methodical and have a plan to wipe out the neighboring yakuza—expanding your territory before the cops know what end of their asses is up."
Diamond dismissed them, and Sapphire followed them into the hall, shutting the soundproof door behind him. He looked around and whispered, "sloppy work, Nephrite. Next time, have your vampire be more subtle with the compulsion."
Sapphire held up his hand when Nephrite went to object. "I'm not asking; I'm telling. I'm watching you. Please don't insult my intelligence next time, though. I've been playing this game longer than you. Show some respect." He then left them all standing there and went back into Diamond's office.
"Well, fuck," Nephrite whispered.
*Kabukicho - largest red light district in the world. It's in Tokyo and is the most dangerous place to be in Tokyo. It is also the home to the underworld and yakuza.