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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
- 25
- 26
- 27
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 26: Hunting high and low

On Tuesday morning, installing herself in her briefing chair, Tokio took an appreciative look at the section room. It started to look like before; most of the team members were present, for the first time in days.
The previous one, Misao had stayed home with Sano to look after her, while Aoshi had been doing some research on his own, Saitoh had investigated on Raijuta�s death after receiving Megumi�s autopsy report by noon, and she had spent the afternoon in consultation with Okubo, for Enishi�s defense.
Tsunan had assisted the briefings of the CD. They were preparing the next operation against the Slayers. Hijikata had decided that only Tsunan and Sano were needed. She knew that Kitaoka had arranged to be the one attending, considering his partner�s temper and the attitude of Hijikata towards the VCS. He had himself barely kept his calm, he had told her after the last meeting.
Tokio had apprehended Saitoh�s reaction. He had only smirked. Kondo was coming back the next morning and wouldn�t let Hijikata put him on the shelf as a cheap revenge. He was the only one who had ever been close to get Shishio. Twice.
She turned toward the door as Megumi enter. Her friend was calm, even, as she always was on duty before this case had stirred bad memories.
She handed a file to Tokio, oblivious of everybody�s stare on her.
�The most recent residue of blood is dated from 1918,� she simply said.
Her words created a palpable change of atmosphere. It was like hundreds of kilos had been lifted from their shoulders.
Suddenly, Misao�s happy laugh burst into the silent room. It triggered one from Sano, who exchanged a high five with Tsunan, before he stood up to lift the girl and whirl around with her.
Tokio heaved a sigh of relief and searched for Saitoh�s eyes. A bemused smirk on his lips, he nodded to her. He didn�t care much about Enishi, but he was satisfied to see Takeda�s manipulations fail and that the police honor wouldn�t be tainted.
Tsunan turned to Megumi: �You�re the best, Doc!�
�I didn�t perform the analysis,� she protested, yet she was flattered by the compliment.
Sano, who had finally let go of Misao, intervened: �No, you�d have the results faster than these lab rats, Fox.�
She couldn�t help but smile, this time. �You actually have your smart moments, Sagara.�
�I�m actually smart, Takani.�
�On this good news, let�s start today�s briefing,� Tokio announced.
�You don�t call Takeda now?� Sano was puzzled.
�After the briefing. Kiyosato and Yamagata are in court this morning, and we�ll have to wait for them anyway,� she lied.
Saitoh glanced at her, in approval. As she had said to Yukishiro, Takeda wouldn�t accept a release that easily, and she didn�t want to dampen the just recovered enthusiasm of the team with bad perspectives. Anyway, they wouldn�t leave Takeda any choice. With what they had on him, it was just a question of minutes before he gave in.
�Makimachi?� she went on, smoothly authoritative.
�My attempts failed until now. But I got a new program yesterday, thanks to one of Sano�s friends, and I made a few modifications last night. This time, I�m sure it�s going to work. I might expect results as fast as tonight, if it still goes that well.�
�Excellent. Saitoh?�
�Raijuta was a shadow. I contacted my informer, but he didn�t call back yet. If the military are after Shishio and his ex-companions, he might be hiding. I�m waiting for the analysis of the water to limit my field of investigation.�
�Takani-sensei?�
�Don�t expect it before one or two days. The labs are too busy. Yes, they should also work on weekends, Saitoh, I know,� she added, dryly. �I put a priority on Komagata�s analysis. The traces of semen aren�t exploitable, sorry. It was to be expected. Nevertheless, good news, there were stains on her clothes. It�s a mix of oil and chemicals. Of course, as we can assume that she was transported to your house in the trunk of a car, the main option is that the stains come from there. Nevertheless, as there was none on��
Megumi broke off as she crossed Aoshi�s warning glance.
�My clothes,� Misao said. �I�m fine, don�t you all look at me as if I was going to collapse.�
Though she had tried to sound calm and adult, she hadn�t been able to hide a twinge of anger on the last words. Even more as Aoshi-san had been the one to provoke their reaction. He had never underestimated her like this, before.
�I don�t,� Saitoh protested scornfully.
�I know. I just decided that I like you the best. No offense,� she added, turning it into a joke, but she was really grateful that at least one person was giving her some credit. And to hell with that credit coming from a total lack of care for her.
Saitoh saw Tokio trying to hide a smug smile, and took a drag of his cigarette, grinning: �No offense taken, Weasel.�
�Takani-sensei, you were saying?� Aoshi asked, deceptively calm.
Nevertheless, Tokio rolled her eyes. Besotted. She caught Saitoh�s grin widening. Of course, he had noticed too.
�That the other option is that the stains come from the place where she was before. That might be a lead to where she was kept�and, if we are lucky, directly to Shishio�s repair. I asked Hannyah and Beshimi to supervise the research directly, to have results as fast as possible. Today or tomorrow.�
Saitoh�s eyes glittered. �As we can expect the morons of the CD to fail tomorrow��
�I�m not sure that anybody will show-up, anyway.�
Aoshi had spoken in his usual impersonal manner, but he could have as well dropped a bomb. Everybody had frozen, their faces expressing diverse degrees of surprise, from Sagara dropping his jaw to the very still Saitoh. He enjoyed it.
�I have a strong indication that Raijuta was the associate.�
�Would you explain clearly?� Megumi asked impatiently.
�Takagi-san, I told you yesterday about my theory on their way of communicating, through the personals of several newspapers,� Aoshi went on, unwavering.
�I transmitted it,� she confirmed.
�I spent my time at the archives, studying the ones Seta had a special interest in. I found some cryptic personals, always published 2 days before the crimes�the details are in my reports, but there were allusions to the profile of the victims, and the number 13 before the Uramura and Sanjo crimes. On the last week one�s, the number 12 was mentioned.�
�You were right!� Misao exclaimed, forgetting her anger. Her voice was full of admiring enthusiasm.
�That could be. And for Komagata?� Saitoh asked, deeply interested.
�There was none. It isn�t surprising. Killing her was, in my opinion, a necessity. To fit the modus operandi, yes, but they also knew that we were going to look for her as soon as we�d make the link. Another possibility being that they were still meeting directly at that time, and used that tactic only by the time the �public� murders began.�
�If you�re right, the announcement of tomorrow�s murder was in yesterday�s papers,� Tokio concluded. �Did you find it? What did it say?�
�That�s the interesting point. I went through all the newspapers, even the evening editions, when all the others where published in the morning ones, and extended my research to the magazines that were out yesterday. Nothing. It was the partner�s time to kill, and��
�The death of Raijuta can explain this. No associate, no crime,� Saitoh concluded.
�It�s very likely, but we have to keep in mind that there was no mention of the moves in the 13th precinct in the papers of last week. They might have yet another way to take contact, which I didn�t figure out yet. I�ll, finally, meet Seta this afternoon. He obviously knew about this method, this is why he was sure about Shishio being alive. I�ll try to get more.�
�We have to leave for the coordination briefing of the operation. Is anything concerning Raijuta still confidential, boss?�
�Yes, Kitaoka. They think that the partner is Enishi, but they kept the operation going anyway, in case a frustrated Shishio will decide to kill. Which is also a possibility, am I wrong?�
�No. The recent events have upset Shishio and his plans. We can�t assume anything,� Aoshi warned.
�And with the way they treat us, we don�t have to share anything with these bastards of the CD,� Sano snorted.
�Sagara, control yourself. I expect you to keep calm during the reunion. No anger, and no bragging about Enishi. Is that clear?�
�Yes, boss.�
Tsunan gave a friendly shove on his partner�s shoulder. �I�ll keep an eye on him, don�t worry, boss. Doc, are you coming?�
�Yes. I have to give them the latest news about Komagata and the blade, too.�
Megumi didn�t hide her lack of enthusiasm.
�Fortunately, we�ll get to see their faces when they learn that Enishi is innocent�and out,� Tsunan soothed as they were getting out of the room.
Tokio and Saitoh exchanged a knowing look. Time to deal with Takeda.
***
Two hours later, Takeda entered Tokio�s office, a frown altering his usually suave and sleazy expression, and bolted, startled as he noticed Saitoh leaning against the wall, near the door.
The Wolf shoved the panel which closed in a swift, neat bang. Not unlike a guillotine falling, he thought, taking a drag of his cigarette. Delicious.
�Detective Takeda, I guess you know why I asked for your presence here?�
�Yes, Takagi-san, of course I heard about the blade, and I also took note of your request. Yet, it isn�t enough to clear Yukishiro�s case. If he has one blade, he can have another, and anyway, it wasn�t the only evidence��
�It seemed enough for Captain Hijikata. He is ready to accept a release,� she countered.
The CD chief�s attitude didn�t surprise Saitoh or Tokio. Hijikata was ruthless, ambitious, and wanted the VCS down, but he was also a good cop, unlike Takeda. He wouldn�t have gone against Enishi without proof. He was still considering him as a possible suspect, and had clearly told Tokio that he would lobby against a reintegration as long as all the suspicions weren�t gone, but the result of the blade�s analysis had inflected his position. Tokio thought that Kondo�s health condition could have also played a role. Hijikata and Kondo had worked for 10 years together. Saitoh didn�t agree, but Tokio had always considered that Hijikata, as cold as he could be, had a profound admiration and friendship for the chief of police. Enishi�s arrest having affected Kondo, Hijikata might have decided to be more open, for his old friend�s sake�as far as the facts allowed him to.
�Unfortunately, the Internal Affairs can still decide to refuse, and the CD has no authority when it comes to our subjects of investigation. I firmly believe that Yukishiro is a dangerous individual, and I can�t agree to his release,� Takeda asserted, pompously. �It�s a question of duty.�
Saitoh exulted inwardly. If Takeda had been willing, he wouldn�t have had the satisfaction of seeing him crushed�and of seeing her confronting him.
�Oh, really you can�t? Mm�Maybe you could change your mind��
Tokio was sitting on her desk. She crossed her legs, lighting a cigarette, blowing the smoke away in a long stray. Her face was thoughtful but Saitoh knew that she was containing her triumphing smile. Takeda didn�t know that special light in her eyes. Saitoh knew it well. She glanced quickly at him, sharing the anticipation of victory. The moron didn�t get it, still caressing his moustache, self-satisfied.
�Duty is duty, Takagi-san. I understand your point of view, of course, but I can make no exception. The risk would be too great.�
�Detective Saitoh certainly agrees with you,� she let out nonchalantly. �I tried to convince him but�I guess you can report the facts to Kondo-san and Detective Takeda�s superior,� she added with a sigh.
Saitoh had difficulties to contain a smirk. She was enjoying the play. So did he.
�What facts?� Takeda uttered.
�What was it already? Something to do with the Yamaguchi-gumi�was it, Detective?�
�Something like this. Shishio isn�t the only one interested in prostitutes, obviously. But as far as we know, *he* isn�t acquainted with their pimps.�
Takeda had paled. �I don�t know what you mean,� he tried.
�You give another impression,� Saitoh remarked.
�Of course it�s only rumors and circumstantial evidences�just like for Yukishiro. And since a rumor can make severe damages to a career, especially in the Internal Affairs, I thought that we could ignore it. But no exception is no exception�you�re right,� Tokio went on, suavely.
�You�re�It�s blackmail!� Takeka was choking with furor.
Tokio�s smile belied the hurt in her voice. �Terrible word�I don�t remember demanding anything in exchange for my silence. With your admiringly righteous attitude, I wouldn�t even dream of doing such a thing. I was just courteously informing you�Could you characterize this as blackmail, Detective Saitoh?�
�Mm�technically, no, I guess.�
The obnoxious jerk was literally stomping his feet on the floor, and spat: �You have fun, Saitoh, haven�t you? Don�t be so proud of yourself, you�re just the lapdog of that bitch��
Saitoh�s smirk widened, yet his eyes were dangerous and his voice deadly as he answered: �I wouldn�t go there if I were you.�
�Being insulting doesn�t help your case,� Tokio added calmly.
Takeda cooled down, and his glance went from one to the other. He had no way out and he knew it.
�I repeat: I have no idea of what you�re talking about. But your little digression gave me the time to consider Captain Hijikata�s position. If all of you agree, and as Kondo-san is unavailable, I guess that I can give the green light. But Yukishiro is still a suspect and under investigation.�
�His absolute innocence will be proved soon. A fair treatment is all that I want for him,� Tokio retorted. �Thanks for your understanding, Detective Takeda. Here is the request for release. Would you sign it?�
He obeyed, grumbled something and left the office, trying to hide his renewed furor. As soon as he was gone, Tokio let out a little laugh but noticed that Saitoh was upset. He had his closed face again.
�A problem?
�He�s a dirty cop. He shouldn�t be allowed to escape.�
�He won�t,� she assured, smiling. There was something wicked in that smile.
�You have a deal with him,� he objected.
�Do I? I never said I was going to stay silent about it. Moreover, we talked about rumors�not about the confessions you got. There�s no deal. Not with someone like Takeda.�
He looked intently at her, a satisfied grin appearing on his lips.
�As soon as Enishi is out, just find someone to leak your proof to the media. We have to stay out of it. So,� she went on, gazing straight into his eyes, �Was it good for you too?�
He walked slowly to her and placed his hands on each side of her, on her desk, leaning until his mouth was inches from hers.
�I want you. Now.�
�Me too�� she whispered.
He stared at her, having the feeling to see her for the first time. She was like him. She had that soft, motherly side, towards Yukishiro and Makimachi�but she was ruthless, too. No pity for the bad. No wasted integrity towards the corrupted. He had never wanted her more than at this moment. She concealed it better than he did, but they were the same. He had only witnessed it when they made love, yet it was obvious to him now. She was his match. She was the woman for him.
An unreal shiver went through his body as he took her mouth and felt her arms wrapping around him, gathering him to her. Her heated tongue met with his, answering to his wild kiss, and he let his hands bury into her hair�he didn�t dare to touch her body, he didn�t know if he could control himself, then. He broke the kiss, to taste the smooth skin of her neck, and she whispered desperately his name in his ear. He jerked of pleasure at her hot breath feathering on his skin.
�We�can�t��
Realizing that she was right, he pulled off, and murmured against her lips.
�Tonight. Tonight I�ll take my time,� he promised, his finger tracing the contour of her mouth, deliberately. �All my time��
Her eyes glittered, and they tore off their embrace completely, before their attraction was uncontrollable again.
�I�ll call Kiyosato, to take the dispositions for Enishi� she managed to say in a hoarse voice.
He nodded, and had reached the door when she whispered: �Until tonight.�
His hand stilled on the doorknob. He had lost, he was lost, and he didn�t want his way out of it, he thought as he left her office.
***
At Kamiya�s, late that afternoon, Tsunan grinned indulgently seeing Misao, Sae and Sano chatting animatedly. He sat at the counter, in front Tae, who was washing some glasses.
�All�s well that ends well,� she smiled. �I�m so impatient to see him again. Do you think he�s going to arrive soon?�
�The boss called when he got out, one hour ago. They stop at his place, so he can change clothes and take a shower. But they shouldn�t be long now.�
�Is Shinomori-san coming?� Tae asked detachedly.
�No, he�s interrogating a witness. You�d have to wait another occasion to drool over him��
�And I opened the bar just hoping I could,� she joked.
�Thanks, by the way.�
�Oh, we�d have to prepare tonight�s opening in an hour and so, anyway. It just made us come a little earlier. And you said you couldn�t stay long, so��
�Yeah, we have too much to do. It�s just to have a pint with him and mark his liberation. Kaoru won�t have to get unnerved because we are messing up the place before the real clients arrive�I have to thank her, too. Is she in the kitchen?�
Tae looked suddenly uncomfortable. �She isn�t coming. She had other plans.�
�With her boyfriend.�
�Yes. He took her to Yokohama for lunch and a shopping afternoon.�
�And they couldn�t do this on another day.�
�Tuesday is her day off, in case you forgot, but he�s helping here tonight and they�ll be back before dinner. So she said that she�d drop by this evening, in case Enishi is there. Would you cut these two some slack? He�s such a sweet guy. His life turned better, but he didn�t forget his time as a homeless, and he�s spending almost all his free time working as a volunteer��
�Yeah, he�s a saint.�
�He�s just what Kaoru needs. He always places her first. I understand that you side with your friend, but you�re unfair. I love Kaoru, and I love Enishi, but they weren�t happy those last years, and��
�Enishi!� Misao exclaimed, running to hug her friend.
Tsunan observed his partner arriving with Takagi and Saitoh, and clenched his fist as he saw a light bruise on top of his temple. Enishi seemed tired, but his face lit as he held Misao back, then exchanged a high five with a rejoicing Sano. Then he looked around, and gave him a grin, yet as his glance was still wandering, Tsunan understood that he was looking for Kaoru. Sae explained, and of course, she didn�t have the tact to invent a pretext. His friend didn�t manage to hide his disappointment.
Tsunan had expected it. In spite of his denials, Enishi still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend, and surely, his imprisonment had given him time to dwell on it. Takagi noticed, too, his state of mind if not the cause: she had that worried mother hen light in her eyes again.
�Let�s have that drink,� he proposed cheerfully, taking the matter in hands. With Misao and Sano�s help, he could use the short reunion to lighten up his friend�s mood.
It succeeded. After a little hour, Enishi was back to his usual self. Saitoh and Takagi had left already, she ten minutes after him, yet Tsunan really wondered�
�I have to work on these files, guys. I�m so near. I�m going back to the office,� Misao indicated.
�We�ll take you there; we have to check in for tomorrow�s operation. Hey, Enishi, why don�t you meet us here again, afterwards? Tsunan and I plan to drink tonight,� Sano proposed.
�Thanks, but all I need now is to be at my place,� Enishi declined.
Tsunan nodded. Jail time, even short, was disorienting; he knew it first hand. While Sano and Misao were already on their way out, he asked his friend discreetly.
�Will you be OK?�
�Yes. I�m out,� Enishi grinned, before adding, seriously. �Thanks.�
�Hey, what are friends for?�
***
Aoshi had been waiting for his moment. He observed Seta�s face, his perfectly innocent yet slightly bemused smile, impenetrable disguise masking his darkened soul. Saitoh and Tokio referred to him as evil, and each in their way, wanted to eliminate evil. Aoshi had another perspective.
Some people were born rotten, found pleasure and satisfaction in hurting other people, whom they considered as no more than objects. That was the case of Shishio, who, if he offered interesting variations, was still an example of the common sociopath. Seta was way more fascinating. He had a personal motive for the killings of his victims. They were not nice. He granted them the status of human beings, established a relation with them. Seta wasn�t born evil. He was a product. Mostly.
The profiler didn�t find him cheap excuses: he left that to defense attorneys. His inner being had allowed Seta to turn into a criminal. Aoshi thought briefly of Makimachi, and how she had gone through her childhood without damages. Seta�s temper and personality, for what he could analyze through his crimes and reports of witnesses, were marked by a lack of personal views, a lack of self-affirmation. He had taken the abuses of his stepmother and had never tried to resist. He wasn�t a real, equal partner to Shishio, but a right arm, a kind of disciple. He had accumulated frustrations to the point that even his poorly developed ego had needed a compensation to survive. And, instead of rebelling and finding in his inner self the strength to re-build it, he had chosen the easy way, opting for the first solution that someone with a strong personality and showing him interest had given him: avenging his ego by inflicting suffering and by dominating through this the people who had hurt it. Feeling like a God, with the power of life and death in his hands, was too tempting, and Seta didn�t have enough moral values, inner strength or conscience to refuse it. He had followed.
Aoshi was a doctor: if he wanted to understand the motivations of criminals, it wasn�t only for intellectual satisfaction. He could cure, then. Not in the sense of healing, as a physician, and not the patient himself, in most cases. Yet, for what was humanly possible, he could propose methods to avoid the production of other criminals, or to act when they were still salvageable. People like Shishio could only give him patterns to arrest other criminals. Nothing and nobody could ever prevent them from becoming what they were meant to be, and he agreed with his partner on the fact that they should be eliminated. People like Seta could give keys to prevent it. Aoshi worked in the long term, when Saitoh and Tokio were, in good part because of the nature of their jobs, bound to work in the short.
It didn�t mean that their methods weren�t relevant. Aoshi had currently adopted Tokio�s, though he couldn�t be as efficient as she was. He had been with Seta all afternoon, and only now, his opponent had let out this little superior twist of his lips which Aoshi had been waiting for hours. He knew that Seta used innocent smiles the way himself used impassivity. That was why he had been the one to read him, whereas it had driven Saitoh and the others crazy, 12 years ago, during the interrogations. Yet, he didn�t find a way to make the mask drop, and he had to follow the path that Tokio had traced. He had given Seta confidence so far, and he had started to launch his strategy of shattering him, cautiously. This slightly superior reaction to the mention of the old partner had showed him that the time had come.
�Shinomori-san, what a cheap trick to use on me. You aren�t funny. I know that Shishio-sama won�t pick him over me.�
�Do you? They have been very old acquaintances. Brothers of arms. He�s older, more experienced, and they went through rough times together. They started to kill together. You are just a replacement.�
�Shishio-sama failed his mission because of him.�
�He almost died because of you,� Aoshi retorted immediately. The partner was indeed the old one. Seta�s ego was at last taking over, provoking a lack of attention. Mission? �The execution of your mother led me to you. Shishio can�t ignore this; he is too smart. Don�t you wonder why he didn�t try to free you? You are nothing to him, now that he reunited with his first friend.�
Seta�s eyes had shone with angry uncertainty, yet the last word had him laugh out loud.
�Friend? Oh, no, certainly not, and less after what he did! You�re assuming too much.�
What did the partner do? Aoshi tried to reorient his interrogation. He had just made a mistake, but Seta�s assurance had betrayed him too. Mission. Soldier. No friend. Alliance. That was it.
�You�re talking about Komagata.� No mention of it in the papers. That was a move of the partner, alone. Saitoh was right, and Aoshi got his new strategy.
�Ara?� The murderer stared at him, seeming to hesitate between amusement and exasperation. �That wasn�t in the rules.�
�The rules?�
�The rule of the game.� Aoshi waited for more, but Seta didn�t give in. �I�ve told you enough. You guessed, and I�ve rewarded your intelligence.�
�Maybe we could play a game, too. You�re telling me, and I tell you.�
�And what could you tell me? You�re here because you know nothing. And I�d prefer to play games with Tokio-san. Is she afraid of me? I know she is. She must be.�
�I�ll answer if you play my game. And the police don�t say everything to the journalists. You have a very incomplete view of the situation.�
He had his bait. Seta observed him for a while, before smiling graciously. �It�s your turn to tell.�
�Saitoh shot Shishio, last week. You know it. But we didn�t say how serious it was.�
�Ah, I�m no fool, Shinomori-san. Shishio-san could escape, it can�t be that bad. Your game can be funny, but if you cheat, I�ll cheat, too. Let�s see. The weak die, the strong survive. You see, I tell you something. Shishio-san is the strongest.�
�His associate has another opinion. He betrayed him, didn�t he? Giving Komagata to us. If he wants to go further, and attack Shishio by surprise��Aoshi let his voice trail. The associate wasn�t a disciple. The pattern was completely different. They were independent. They weren�t friends. Were they enemies?
�This is better. But this is the point of the Preys� game. Shishio-san knows that it will happen. He won�t be surprised. Does Tokio-san have nightmares about me?�
�You�re cheating now. That would answer to all your questions in one. Is Shishio prepared to face all his enemies? The police, his associate who betrayed him�and his ex-employers, of course.�
Seta�s mask fell. He glared at Aoshi. �You�re trying to trick me again. Answer me about Tokio-san, or I�ll stop talking to you.�
Now was the time to use Raijuta. Was he the partner? Whatever the answer was, it was a win/win situation for Aoshi.
�I�m telling you the truth. Look at yesterday�s papers: there are little articles about a body found near Riverside Park. This man was Raijuta, he was working with Shishio in this special unit. We know that their ex-employers are looking for them. To kill them.�
�He�ll win. He�ll win the game, and escape you, and them. The winner of the game is the strongest. Shishio-san is the strongest.� Now Seta was taken over by a childish anger. He was trying to convince himself.
Raijuta wasn�t the associate. The �game� was still going on. Time to give the last strike. Aoshi wanted the name. He�d have it with lies, if he couldn�t with truths.
�Shishio can�t use his right arm. Saitoh shot the shoulder several times. Your master could escape but he can�t fight. He can�t use his sword. He can�t use a gun. There wasn�t an announcement about tomorrow�s crime. You know it from the papers. He�s vulnerable.�
�Stop it!� Seta had taken his head in his hands, rubbing his face and hair.
�They�re after him. He can�t rely on his associate. We�re after him, too. He can�t fight. What is worse, Seta-san? That we arrest him, or that they kill him?�
�No, you want to trick me again! I won�t talk!� the younger man finally said, his eyes shining with pure hatred.
�I don�t ask you to betray Shishio. I know you�d never. You�re loyal, Seta-san. Very loyal. But maybe your loyalty could be expressed otherwise?�
�What do you mean?�
�I don�t want to know about Shishio. What I want is his associate. If you know who he is, you can help Shishio to get rid of a liability.�
Aoshi was now under the impression that the associate was a threat to Shishio, but he avoided precisions, as assuming any relation between them had led him to a mistake earlier. That was the good choice.
�You are messing with my mind, Shinomori-san. You got better than you were.� Seta had calmed down, yet he had not retrieved his previous boyishness. He was serious, focused, when he repeated: �I won�t talk anymore.�
�Think about it, Seta-san. Think about Shishio�s interest. I�ll be back tomorrow. Time is pressing for him, too. You know his ex-employers.�
Seta�s stare revealed nothing more. He had his mask on again.
***
Saitoh had waited for Tokio outside Kamiya�s and they went to the hotel together. As soon as they entered the room, he pulled her roughly in his arms, his lips hungrily closing over hers. Passion overwhelmed them, their hands tugging at their clothes, trying to get rid of these intolerable barriers between their skins, their bodies pressing to each other, invitingly, teasingly, he groaning, her moaning with the pleasure to be together, at last.
�You�wanted�all your time,� she sighed, as he uncovered the base of her neck and grazed his teeth on it, while his hands went up between her legs.
�Next time,� he snapped. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, and had he been able of any restraint, he would have slowed down just to drive her crazy. But he couldn�t. He needed her now.
He snarled as his cell-phone started to ring, insistently. He ignored it, yet it didn�t stop, and he finally let go of her to answer. His gaze was still glued to her, to her swollen lips and befuddled eyes.
Damn it, he thought as he listened to his interlocutor.
�I�m on my way.� He cut the communication, to growl: �And you talk about wrong timing, moron.�
�Your contact,� she concluded. �Seems like an emergency.�
�It�d better be.� He put some order in his clothes, cursing under his breath.
She walked to him, wounding her arms around his neck, caressing it soothingly.
�I�ll be waiting for you here,� she assured with a smile.
He answered with a long, passionate kiss.
She was addictive. She was a sweet, dangerous poison he couldn�t get enough of. He held her tighter, his fingers pressing the soft flesh of her waist under her shirt, feeling her body molding perfectly to his, as if she had been made for him. His hands went up and down her back, soft silky skin under his callused palm, while he possessed her warm mouth. Her pliant lips moving against his, her hands in his hair, caressing and pulling his head closer to her� He had to leave now. He was losing control again. Why was he leaving already? Duty.
He let go of her except for her lips, he just couldn�t, she neither, her tongue foraying into his mouth, beckoning, each time he tried to part. They finally pulled off, once, twice, exchanging swift, open-mouthed kisses in between.
�I have to go,� he murmured, managing to break off definitely, his forehead resting on hers.
She was nuzzling his face, caressing his cheek with her nose. �I know��
She didn�t want him to, she wanted him to stay and make love to her, or just to stay. But�
�Duty first,� she smiled again, somewhat regretfully.
***
Aoshi left the facility, entirely satisfied. Seta hadn�t talked yet. But he would. He glanced at his cell-phone, to see a text message left by Makimachi.
And that was just perfect timing.
He had to call the others. The Slayers were theirs.
To be continued�

Author�s notes:

My deepest gratitude to my beta-readers, Firuze (and especially for Enishi�s attitude and reasons of chapter 25, our first conversation, remember?), L.Sith (my grammar savior (^-^) and the remaining mistakes are my fault.) and Mary-Ann.

About the chapter:

Are any oldies remembering the A-ha song which inspired the title of this chapter? Ah�That voice *sigh*

Finally, they got it! Phew, it only took 26 chapters, LOL. They were doomed from the start, poor dears. They should know me by now�.Saitoh�s reaction before leaving is slightly OOC. He should have gone straight to the door instead of kissing Tokio again. Can I say for my defense that it lasts mere moments? (I couldn�t erase that kissing scene, shame on me) *bows in apology*

Sano and Meg�s bantering is a wink to the scenes at her clinic during Jinchuu (^-^).

Takeda is done�is he? Hehehe.

Next chapter: I won�t say, this time. That�d ruin the fun. You�ll have to read it (^-^)
- 25
- 26
- 27
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