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Preys	By : kamorgana Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5568 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply. I don�t own Rurouni Kenshin. The characters belong to Watsuki, but the plots, ideas, OCs and text are *mine*.
Preys
Chapter 14: Attack
As Tokio had warned, the beginning of the week had been very busy.
Trying to prevent the next murder presented several difficulties.
Covering one precinct instead of the whole city was certainly an improvement; still it happened to be one of the largest of the town. Several principal arteries crossed the 12th precinct but the rest of it consisted in little roads and alleys, half of them not large enough for a car to circulate. It was a real labyrinth. The neighborhood was rather poor, there were very few convenience stores, the other shops were closed at 6, and the streets at nights there were empty and silent, in contrast with the nearby City Hall area, with its buildings, department stores, and also its �pleasure quarter� which ensured busy and crowded nights. This was the problem: although no prostitution was located in the area, most of the prostitutes working in the other district were living in the 12th, and Shishio could strike when they were on their way to work.
Sagara had tried his best to convince the pimps, �massage� or �escort� services providers he knew to shut down for a night, encountering their reluctance if not a blunt refusal. It was June, the bonus time, all this cash in big envelops, and the clients wanted to spend quickly a part of that money for fun before, as they often explained, their wives locked it for purposes as silly as the kids� education fee, paying the loans, or buying themselves ridiculously expensive and ugly French handbags. The clients were men, the Slayer killed only women: the clients would come and be more generous than usual. June was the best time for business and they had made clear that the business would go on whatever happened.
Therefore the operation wasn�t going to be easy: no significant reduction in the number of potential victims; almost deserted streets hence no potential witness while the police�s presence would be obvious; and finally this labyrinth as an environment.
***
If she could have all the cops of the city on it, maybe�.Tokio was convinced that Saitoh and Aoshi were right, but it was still a theory and all the police stations were going to be on alert. It was a good cover, though: nobody would consider the contact she had with the 12th precinct captain as odd. The cops there were to be told only a few hours before the beginning of the operation; they had to keep secrecy. Although Aoshi didn�t think that Shishio would change his plan if he realized they knew where he was going to strike, better to be cautious�and to avoid the scoopthirsty media interfering in their operation.
Organizing the patrolling units had been a real problem, too. Tokio had only 3 teams of detective to coordinate the precinct cops, and she needed at least two more according to the size of the area.
Hijikata had been reluctant to �lend� some personal. He had argued that while the VCS was exclusively on this case, his subordinates had to follow the other cases that her team had dropped down, overloading his detectives, and the research on Seta�s contacts, overloading the civilian personal with extra-work. Of course, it was true; nevertheless the real reason of his attitude was elsewhere. He was resenting the section for being in charge of the case, and her, personally, for being in charge of the section. After a meeting with Kondo in her office on Monday morning, he had agreed to provide men but he had had his revenge.
He had demanded that Enishi were not in charge of a unit, and nowhere near his men. It was such a cheap shot that Tokio had told him, very calmly but with chosen words, where he could shove his detectives in that case. Unfortunately, Kondo had still his reservations about Enishi and had taken Hijikata�s side.
To her bewilderment Saitoh, who had been present along with Aoshi, supported her opinion and, the smirk that had spread on his face when she had insulted Hijikata firmly in place, had sent a few subtle but clearly offensive comments to the CD chief. They didn�t change Kondo�s mind, of course, and Tokio was absolutely furious. It was her case and her team, moreover if she had promised Enishi that he would be allowed on the case, it was not for having him treated like this.
She was still angry when she had to announce to Enishi and Misao that they were on the side of the operation. She had apologized yet he had reacted surprisingly well. He would be freer of his moves if he hadn�t to supervise a bunch of amateurs, he had added with a smile. And he had taken the two women for lunch at Kamiya�s. His mood having blatantly improved since Saturday, Enishi had even been polite to Kaoru�s boyfriend who had served them; he had also insisted that she and Misao played darts with him for a few minutes, joking that they should pin a picture of Hijikata on the target. Tokio had frowned since she didn�t say who had been against him�
Saitoh had.
***
As she had lunch alone at Kamiya�s on Wednesday, before going to the 12th precinct station to coordinate the operation, Tokio was barely touching her food.
The sudden change in Saitoh�s attitude was disturbing her.
She couldn�t help her thoughts to go into that direction. She had been out with Meg on Monday night but they had had issues to discuss and Tuesday had been stressing, too, she had stayed until late at night to finalize the details and practical sides of the operation. It was the first moments of calm that she had since Sunday. She wished she could use them for something else than thinking about him.
Their hostility had been so strong lately, that she had almost forgotten that she used to appreciate some sides of his temper when she was still working with the DA. Of course, he was a nightmare in a court, cold, superior and scary, the sight of him only pushing the judges and the audience to side the defendants. In most of their cases, Okita was the one taking the stand because he always made a good impression: one smile and he had everybody in his pocket. When it wasn�t possible, resulting in the few times she had worked directly with Saitoh, of course they had argued, of course she had been unnerved, but nothing that could compare to the last year. Though they definitely didn�t like each other, they used to respect each other�s professional skills. They even had been allies on one case or two, against political pressure, several years ago. He made a first bad impression, but he never gave in to the defense attorneys� attempts to manipulate him. He usually reduced them to an embarrassing silence. She had enjoyed catching the play, and the cases had been won easily on that. She had even wondered, once she had passed the first detestable impression that he had made on her too, why they couldn�t get along personally while they made a good combination in court.
He had behaved like at that time for the past few days, he was still distant and cold, and she wasn�t spared some remarks although they lacked of the venom they had contained before; but when it came to work he had changed. Saitoh had been scarcely tolerating her since she had taken the command. He had been disapprovingly silent when he agreed with her, openly hostile when he didn�t. Now he supported her. Not only he had taken her side and approved of her decisions, making suggestions instead of scornfully questioning them, he had also told Enishi about what had really happened during the meeting. She couldn�t believe that he actually tried to make things easy for her�and didn�t expect to appreciate that much.
Why? Did he change his mind about her?
She remembered suddenly their argument about her visiting Seta, and shook her head at her own stupidity. He only wanted the team to be efficient and focus on the criminal rather than on personal conflicts. That was all.
He had just had what he wanted and didn�t care about her enough now to behave like a bastard, at the cost of disturbing their work. He behaved sensibly; she should be happy and not disappointed. Maybe he had been right. Maybe getting rid of the sexual tension had made things better. For him, at least.
Sighing, she nervously finished fixing her spare key on her new key holder, when a soft, almost feminine voice surprised her.
�Takagi-san, are you feeling well?� The violet eyes were concerned.
�Oh, Himura-san! No, I�m fine��
�Is there something wrong with the food? You�re not eating�� He seemed hurt at the thought that what he had prepared wasn�t good.
�Oh, no�I was just lost in my thoughts�� she apologized.
�It�s probably cold now�.I bring you another plate,� he said gently, taking hers before she could protest. �I know that you�re very busy, but you should take care of yourself,� he added with a warm smile.
Very nice man, indeed, she thought, reaching for her lighter. She understood better why Kamiya Kaoru liked him.
She grinned. She knew she would never stand to be with a nice guy.
She had obviously a preference for bastards�
***
(Wednesday, early evening.)
Saitoh felt his anticipation growing, as he patrolled with Shinomori in the area of the precinct they had been assigned to. He was glad that the profiler was assuming the radio liaison with the other patrols. They didn�t have enough personal, most of them were used to traffic or neighboring problems only, and he didn�t want to take care of that bunch of morons. Tonight he would be on his own chase.
He clasped his tongue in exasperation when he heard Harada�s voice again in the radio. This guy knew his job but was such a blabbermouth. He felt frustrated again as he reviewed mentally the detectives whom Hijikata had lent for the operation. Harada and Nagakura were all right, as were Shimada and Ito, but the partners of the latter had been freshly promoted. He knew what it meant. He had been disappointed in Kondo for shoving Yukishiro aside. It was ridiculous. He and Makimachi would be more efficient than the rookies.
He was observing the almost deserted streets, his senses sharpening each time he saw a woman, following her path in the car�s mirrors. They had been turning for almost two hours now. Not that his attention was fading.
*Red Alert, 4-5, woman�s screaming�Hey, Sano, wait!*
Saitoh tensed at Kitaoka�s excited voice. Shit, they were at the other side of the precinct. It couldn�t be. Tonight was his chase.
Shinomori took his radio. �Team 2, is the red alert correct?�
*Team 3. Kitaoka, we�re coming for back-up!*
Moron. A quick look around, just in case�nothing happening here.
*Takagi here. Harada, you don�t move until you have confirmation of the red alert.*
*But�*
*It�s an order. Kitaoka?*
*Negative. It�s a false alert. I repeat, false alert.*
Saitoh checked on the streets once more. Still nothing.
Kitaoka spoke again. *A brawl, between a girl and her boyfriend. It�s pretty ugly. Can we get one blue team to take care of this?*
*Team P-4. We�re coming.*
*Thanks. Sorry for the rush.*
*Hey, that was a shot of adrenalin! Can�t wait for the real thing. I really love my job.*
One day, on his spare time, Saitoh would try to decide who, of Harada and Sagara, was the dumber. Noticing that Shinomori gave him a knowing, sideway glance, he shrugged and reported his attention on the surroundings.
*Harada, can you focus?*
Saitoh couldn�t contain a smirk at her scolding voice. Still nothing. Yet he had that itching feeling�
*Yes Ma�am*
Still noth�A woman coming out an alley they just passed by�.disappearing the next second�
�He�s there!� he hissed to Shinomori, rushed out of the car and ran back there, taking his gun out of his holster.
He turned in the alley, spotting a woman crooked on the pavement.
�Shishio Makoto.�
He heard her hoarse voice uttering the name, but he didn�t stop his pursuit.
The shadow was almost out of reach. He shot swiftly, hit the shoulder he had aimed for, having no visibility on the legs, and as Shishio stopped for several seconds, he ran after him with decupled energy. The bastard wouldn�t escape him, not this time.
When Aoshi arrived on the scene, he saw Saitoh�s figure rapidly fading at the end of the street and knelt near the victim. He was too late to join, having warned the other patrols by radio before following Saitoh. He heard her murmuring �Shishio�.� before she fainted.
*Shinomori, was the red alert correct? Did you get him?* Sanosuke�s voice was eager.
�Red alert confirmed. Saitoh is after him. In 17-5, I stay with the victim, she�s unconscious but alive. Not a cut. We prevented the murder.�
***
*Saitoh is after him. In 17.5�*
He didn�t listen further. He ran the engine, making it roar loudly.
�Enishi, what are you doing? We weren�t told to move�� Misao exclaimed.
�I have a plan. No, don�t call them!�
He drove at high speed, clenching his teeth, almost unconscious of Misao�s protests.
�We just left the 12th! We can�t leave our position without referring, ahhhh!�
She bumped back in her seat as he stopped the car suddenly.
�Stay in the car and get the path of Saitoh if you can!� he exclaimed, rushing out.
�Enishi, wait!� Oh, shit, he was out of sight already. �Stupid guy,� she mumbled, running after him.
***
Saitoh was following Shishio in the maze of alleys, managing not to loose him. He was running in circles, sometimes, probably not knowing where to go, maybe the pain was already affecting him�. Saitoh ran faster, adrenalin pumping in his veins, anticipation giving him more strength. He was about to catch him.
He was ignoring the radio until he saw a bigger road in front of them. He knew where they were now.
*Team 3 for back-up!* Harada�s voice was feverish. *Saitoh, contact us, Saitoh, where are you?*
�Direction east, 17-3 �� Saitoh�s voice was breathless but annoyed. He talked again few minutes later. �Shit! I lost visual contact!�
*Where?*
�17-2, intersection 6. There�s an underground parking, I�m going in.�
*Saitoh? Saitoh?*
***
Where was he�Saitoh could feel the presence of his enemy. He could smell the blood. He walked cautiously between the cars and the pillars, trying to locate him.
He stopped by the middle of the parking, leaning on a wall, and lit a cigarette. Shishio was at this level and running blindly was stupid. The others were arriving. The killer would have to attempt an escape or to get caught like a rat. Waiting for the prey to move was an old trick of predators.
Moron, he cursed inwardly, as Harada�s faraway voice raised from his radio.
He tossed his cigarette away, his senses awoken�He had heard distinctly a door cringing�He ran into that direction, thanks to Harada he hadn�t been able to locate it precisely. There were two doors there. One led to the stairs for customers. He entered, listening, focusing on noises, on signs of a human presence. Nothing. Shit, shit. Personal only, warned the other one�.He pushed it and rushed in as it revealed unlocked.
Fuck�The bastard was already several levels down. He could hear the precipitated breath, the footsteps�He couldn�t get back that distance before the other was out. Just one way. The space between the stairs was large enough�
Saitoh breathed, tightening his muscles to absorb the physical shock, and jumped. He got a grip on the iron frame, 4 levels downstairs, clenching his teeth as his back crushed into it. Throbbing pain in his shoulder, he ignored it. The exit door slammed as he managed to land on the stairs again.
The warm air surprised him as he exited; the shadow of the killer was already far in front of him. It turned right. Saitoh�s lungs were aching as he accelerated, but he didn�t pay attention. He wouldn�t loose the trace again. As he turned too, he heard an engine running and had just the time to throw himself away as a speeding car came out, lights off. His head met something sharp. He tried to notice the made or the number, in vain. Blood was blurring his view. Too far to shoot, anyway.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
He took his radio.
�Saitoh. He escaped in a bloody car, lights are off, no made, no number. He was going west, from 13th precinct, 32-4. Catch him if you can.�
*Understood.*
As Saitoh arrived again in front of the parking, walking this time, Takagi�s voice in his radio announced that Shishio had escaped and why. He didn�t listen to the details and watched around in utter disgust. The parking seemed underground from the 12th side, but there was a difference of ground levels, and the stairs� entry opened in a street of the other precinct.
Shishio had known exactly where to go. The scum had had his way out carefully prepared. They had been fooled.
***
Saitoh sat on the floor of the ambulance, his feet on the sidewalk, the opened doors hiding him from the others. He was rolling the muscles of his right shoulder, to evaluate the damages, when Takagi materialized in front of him.
�Congratulations,� she smiled.
�For what? He escaped,� he snapped back, unable to hide his bitterness.
�Don�t see the glass half empty. You prevented him from killing.�
�Not enough.�
�Don�t say that to the victim. She, if I can say so, is really grateful. She asked if she could personally thank you. Aoshi has already received a big hug,� she added with a soft laugh.
He smirked, picturing Icicle stuck in the woman�s embrace. �What is the �if I can say so� part?�
�Her name is Honjo Kamatari. She�s still a man on her ID.�
She smiled again at his astonishment. �They�re taking her to the hospital. You should go too�� she added.
She had put her hand on his shoulder, stroking softly, absently. She was staring at the blood on his forehead, a concerned expression filling her gray eyes. He was fascinated. Warmth was spreading all over his body at this mere touch. Warmth, not heat. It was disturbing, but felt too good to put an end at it. Feeling his insistent gaze, she turned hers into it and paled. She let her hand down, glancing away, biting her bottom lip.
�I�ll see if I can interrogate �her� there,� he announced, aloof.
�I don�t think they�ll let you. But yes, if you can�� She was still looking around, avoiding his face. He didn�t like that.
�I have to talk to the journalists.� She finally turned towards him with her fake, professional smile. �Get some rest. See you tomorrow.�
The medics came back as she walked away. He refused to board the ambulance, and joined Shinomori in his car.
To be continued�

Author�s notes:

Kamatari: He�s a transsexual in this story. I want to point that a transvestite and a transsexual aren�t the same. The former, straight or gay (both cases exist) dress as women but they don�t want to change sex (Kamatari in the manga, imo). The latter usually undergo surgery, because they feel they are women trapped in men�s bodies. Kamatari will hence be referred to as a woman here. The plot only motivates my choice of changing his gender (particularly the fact that the Slayers kill only women, but also a later twist).

Superman: OK, I indulged. I alluded in the previous chapter to Saitoh training physically, yet the stairs stuff is a bit off-limits. Please bear with me, it only happens here (err�and in the lemons (^-^)). Shishio�s physical resistance is stressed enough in the manga, I thought I could keep this.

Bonus time: Twice a year in Japan, the employees receive a bonus (June and December), depending on the companies� benefits. The wives are usually in charge of the budget, and grant their husbands with �pocket money�. As the amounts can�t be predicted, frequently the men try to spend some of the bonus for their own purposes in secret.

DA stands for District Attorney�s office, CD for Criminal Department, VCS for Violent Crimes Section.

Thanks a million to Mara and Firuze for their support! And Mara, thank you for your corrections and comments, always so helpful to me!!! (^-^)

Next chapter: Mm. The Slayers were a bit disappointing, weren�t they? Hehe�
- 13
- 14
- 15
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