Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ Dragon Ex Machina ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Dragon Ex Machina

 

DISC: I do not own Pet Shop of Horrors or its characters. These are the property of mangaka Matsuki Akino and publishing house Tokyopop (in the U.S., anyway). I make no profit from this story. Please don't sue.

 

Chapter XII

 

While he would probably refuse to admit it aloud to anyone, he'd been drawn in. It was like D. He had gone in thinking he knew what to expect. But in the end, it was nothing like he'd imagined.

 

Shakespeare: Old language that didn't make sense to anyone without a degree. And In Love: Gack! A chick flick version of language you couldn't understand. Well, maybe it would help him sleep.

 

But he started watching it. The girl who went against the odds, against her better judgment and the judgment of those around her, following what her heart told her she must do. He could relate. And she fell in love in the process. It was forbidden love. One that could only be consummated once - and then, separation. They would only have their memories to keep them going.

 

The Queen gave them the blessing that allowed them to get away with their one-time tryst. But in so doing, forced the couple to part forever more. Okay, overall the movie was definitely a chick-flick. It was too unrealistic. Too unrealistically romantic. Real life wasn't as simple as this made out. Opposites didn't attract. Or, they didn't usually. And when they did, things always were more difficult than expected.

 

People ended up with broken hearts. Or broken limbs.

 

Or they went psycho and tried to commit genocide.

 

The flight attendants served lunch as he continued to wonder about the movie he'd just seen. He ate without really tasting the food at all, and requested a beer to wash it down, paid for the drink without really paying attention.

 

Would he get a chance with D? Would the powers that be allow him that chance? Would D? He couldn't just stop being human. If D pushed him away, again…

 

No.

 

There wasn't any way that Leon would let that happen.

 

One way or another. Now that he'd determined where he needed to be, he would be there.

 

Even if this plane were to crash into the ocean. Leon was nothing if not stubborn. He'd fucking find a way to swim the rest of the way to Japan if he needed to. He'd find a way to see D again.

 

The gods had better stay the fuck out of his way, because he was GOING to find D.

 

That's all there was to it.

 

 

 

X

 

 

In the middle of dusting, the chimes announced a visitor. He quickly took off his apron and the kerchief holding back his hair as he heard the footsteps leading toward him. He was about to bow, when he saw who was there.

 

“Taizuu. You're here again.”

 

“My name is Woo Fei Rau.”

 

Waving his hand, D responded, “Yes, yes. Please sit and join me for some tea.”

 

As he began to pour, his landlord began asking him about business, the pets, who his latest customers were. All the the questions were designed to act like an interrogation, but under the guise of polite conversation.

 

“So, I assume business is good?”

 

“It is as well as might be expected.”

 

D let the questions wash over him, making appropriate comments when necessary to not seem rude but in reality, he was busy with his own thoughts.

 

`He's here to catch me in the act of something illegal. Again.

 

`Honestly. He's just as stubborn as Detective Orcot. But at least he's got better manners. Taizuu never props his feet up on my coffee table.

 

`Then again, he never brings me any sweets like keiji-san used to. Even when he was trying so hard to “get the goods on me,” my Leon always brought the nicest treats. He never came empty handed.

 

`Well, I suppose that Taizuu believes that since I lease this space that this type of common courtesy is beneath him.

 

`He certainly dresses better than my keiji-san. Then again, he has the money to do so. Leo- Detective Orcot was working off the salary of a civil servant. He was more concerned about the welfare of the innocents. Taizuu cares only about himself.

 

`Oh, dear. Not this again.'

 

“I've explained this to you before. I only sell pets in here. Not slaves. Not humans. I've even shown you some of our most exotic merchandise. You may continue to try to find something incriminating against me, but you will not succeed.”

 

“You're that confident in your ability to keep this a secret, eh?”

 

Sigh. “No. It's just that there *is* nothing incriminating to be found. I run a legal operation here. Some of the species may just barely pass the CITES list, but I assure you, that they all DO pass the CITES list. I simply provide animals that other shops may not be able to procure for their clients.”

 

“While your animals may be technically legal, Count D, it's the human trafficking that is the issue.”

 

“There IS no activity of that kind run through my shop.”

 

Taking a sip of tea he responded, “So you say.”

 

`Certainly, he wants to ensure that nothing illegal is occurring here, but it's only so that nothing unplanned gets in the was of the rest of his “business” endeavors.

 

`Even when he ordered his staff member to help protect me from those assassins, I could sense his desire to not have someone else's death attributed to him - as it might affect his business dealings. The compassion for another living being was barely extant.

 

`He was willing to shoot back with no hesitation. Even when Leon had to fight for his life, you could feel his sorrow for having to do so.

 

`It's strange how two people, both feeling so alone and against the world, can be so fundamentally different.

 

`Leon may be rough, but he has compassion and consideration. Taizuu is all about appearances and power. It's not entirely too late for him to find a better path, but he will never have that underlying purity that is the fundamental basis of my keiji-san.'

 

“Yes, of course we will see you again soon, Taizuu. Thank you for your kind visit.”

 

Growling, the man stalked from the room, muttering, “I'll get you, Count D. I'll find out what you're up to and then you'll be out of here.”

 

`So similar and yet so different.' A gentle smile smile graced his face.

 

 

 

X

 

 

He'd lost track of the number of games of solitaire he'd lost on this flight.

 

God damn but this flight was taking FOREVER.

 

He hadn't noticed that his leg had started bouncing in frustration again. But the guy next to him did and turned to him, smiling apologetically.

 

“In a game where one plays against oneself, winning and losing is only an illusion,” the Japanese passenger commented kindly.

 

With a half-grin, half-grimace, Leon responded, “I like that. It's not the cards that are kicking my ass - I'm kicking my own- Okay… maybe I don't like that either.”

 

Both men chuckled.

 

“Ryuusuke Ayumu. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

 

“Nice to meet you, too, Ayumu-san. My name's Leon Orcot.” He noted that the man smiled in surprise that an American would know enough Japanese etiquette to address him so. Leon had recognized that the man had put his name in reverse order for the American, too.

 

“Will this be your first time in Tokyo?” the man inquired.

 

Leon nodded. “Yes. I've never had much of a chance to travel until recently.”

 

“You travel on business, then?”

 

With a grimace, he replied, “Not exactly. An… old friend… left something with me and I'm… going to find him and return it.”

 

The man smiled. “Well, this sounds an intriguing endeavor: to find someone in Tokyo. I admit my curiosity. Your friend must be… very special to you.”

 

“You have no idea.”

 

A quick bow of the head, then, “I wish you good luck, Mr. Orcot. May the gods honor your dedication to… friendship, and speed you along the way.” His smile was kind and hinted that he understood what Leon was not saying. “Forgive me if I offend, but do you have a guide to assist you?”

 

Leon felt himself frown (it was a frown because of course Leon would never pout) as he muttered, “No.”

 

He reached into a pocket and pulled out a business card, handed it over. Leon noted that it had read in kanji on one side and in English on the other. “Perhaps I could be of assistance.”

 

A look of genuine surprise alighted on Leon's face. “Thanks, but I wouldn't want to be a bother, Ayumu-san.”

 

“Nonsense,” he replied. “It would be my honor to assist you on your noble task. I have lived in Tokyo for much of my life. And, as this is your first time here, I wonder whether you will know where to begin to look.”

 

“I know where to start… I just need to get to Chinatown.”

 

“Ah. That should help some. But, there is, of course, also the language barrier. Unless you know how to speak Japanese?”

 

“I… Well… I was going to pick up a phrase book in the airport.” No. Leon never pouted.

 

“Mr. Orcot, I like to think of myself as an excellent judge of character. And you are the kind of person who is used to doing everything by yourself. It is not only a desire never to be burdensome, but also a misguided sense of pride that governs your rejection of assistance.”

 

As Leon's eyebrows knitted together, the businessman held up one hand to forestall any retorts. “I say this because I recognize the traits from my own behavior in the past.” He paused briefly before continuing, “I again offer my services to you, Mr. Orcot. At least let me guide you as far as Chinatown. And if you would care to tell me a bit about your friend, while we are on the train I will call some of my contacts who work there. Perhaps someone knows your friend.”

 

Leon examined the man's face. Being a cop, he thought he was a pretty good judge of character himself. And it wasn't really like Leon owned anything. If the guy *did* turn out to be a con artist, he'd be sorely disappointed at whom he had chosen for prey.

 

Okay, yeah. “Why not?” Leon shrugged.

 

“So tell me a bit about this friend you're looking for. What does he look like? How did you meet? That sort of thing.”

 

“He's… not normal,” Leon started. “I mean… he's not like anyone else ever. That's not just my opinion,” he quickly corrected. “Everyone who meets him would agree. And I'm not just saying that because he's Chinese. He's… just… different. I dunno.

 

“I guess you could say he's very charming. But, I kinda think he's an arrogant pain in the ass, too.” His smile was fond as he said this. “He runs a pet shop. Every city he moves to, he runs a pet shop there - so I'm thinking the same will be true here. I met him because I thought he was behind some of the stranger homicides in my precinct.

 

“He wasn't though,” he amended quickly as he added in his head, “well, not directly anyway…”

 

“Wait. A strange pet shop in Chinatown…? I think the gods have smiled upon you, Mr. Orcot.”

 

“You know D's shop?”

 

Shaking his head slightly, he responded, “One of my coworkers has spoken about the place where she got her latest pet, a tanuki.”

 

“What's a tanuki?”

 

The man thought for a bit and explained, “It's a species of dog, but I guess you would say it looks more like a mix between a badger and a raccoon.”

 

Leon's eyes grew wide. “Was… the tanuki's name… Pon-chan?”

 

The man cocked his head. “I believe she said his name was Pero-chan.”

 

“What am I thinking? D would never sell Pon,” Leon mumbled. “Pon's family.”

 

Ayumu smiled softly at him as the flight attendant's voice announced the need to please put their trays up, their seats in their upright and locked position. They had reached Tokyo airspace and would begin their final descent shortly.

 

Finally, Japan at last. `D. One way or another…'

 

 

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