Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Warrior Children ❯ Murder ( Chapter 33 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Cousin D 
Nasty gets bad news.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 03.03.2007 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 255 | Status: Completed
Nasty gets bad news.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 03.03.2007 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 255 | Status: Completed
Chapter 33 : Murder
Nasty-
Byakuen was miserable.
He sullenly lay on the floor between the sofa and the television and made no effort to move, not even when Kokuen-Oh lay beside him and began lapping at his long white hair. Byakuen batted his hand at Kokuen-Oh, but his twin ignored the gesture and kept grooming Byakuen as if Byakuen weren’t a human man - a very unhappy human man.
It should have made Nasty nervous. Any sensible person would have been phoning for animal control the moment the two tigers had strolled into the house. Instead, they’d made themselves right at home and no one, not even mistrustful Treize, had given them much more than a second thought. Nasty found that she wasn’t even a bit afraid to be alone with the two tigers with just baby Lai for company.
They weren’t normal tigers, that much was obvious. They were too intelligent to be just animals. They’d shown no signs of any urge to hunt or eat the people they were around so often. Rajura hadn’t so much as hesitated when he’d said that Byakuen and Kokuen-Oh would stay with the women and children. All the same, Nasty’s instincts shouted at her to get the baby away from the tiger.
Byakuen made a growling sound, but Kokuen-Oh purred and held Byakuen down with a paw that could have easily crushed any human. In the end, Byakuen gave up and lay his head on the floor to allow the attention.
Little Lai, innocent of any danger, squirmed off Nasty’s lap and landed on her feet on the floor. She stood there a moment, wobbled, then steadied herself. She took a few ginger steps towards the pair on the floor then fell down onto her hands and knees and started crawling.
Byakuen watched her with a pout that made Nasty put a hand to her mouth to hide a smile. He looked so envious. He had yet to figure out how to walk on only two legs and could barely crawl. He tilted his head enough to watch Lai’s approach and rested his cheek on his crossed arms.
The baby laughed when she reached Byakuen and grabbed at his hair. She used his hair to pull herself up and, still laughing, slapped one hand on Kokuen-Oh’s face.
“He won’t hurt her,” Kay stood in the doorway of the parlor with a faint smile as she watched the tigers and Lai. “They’re both used to small children.” Kay bowed elegantly to Nasty before stepping into the room. “When I was very small, they used to let me ride on their backs.” Kay bowed low to Nasty, very formally and looking as if she'd practiced this greeting many times. "Good morning, Nasutei-san." Kay said, her rich voice soft and yet strangely strong. “You look tense. You’re worried for your brother?”
Kokuen-Oh did nothing about Lai but continue grooming Byakuen.
“And the others. Noin’s one of my closest friends and Quatre’s one of my cousins.” They’d never been close, though no fault of their. Their father’s hadn’t gotten along well. There had been some family meetings where she’d exchanged a few words with her younger cousin, but those times had been few and far between. However, from what little she knew, she’d liked him from what she knew of him.
Treize didn’t trust Quatre, but Treize trusted very few people. He had once spoken of Quatre’s with a great deal of respect but warned Nasty to keep the family relationship quiet. “It wouldn’t be good if it were known we were related - for them or us.”
It was politics, of course. They didn’t exactly hide the family relationship, but they never went out of their way to advertise it.
"Never underestimate him," Treize had once warned Nasty. "If I ever feared that someone would take over the world, besides me, it would be him."
Nasty looked at Lai, tugging on Kokuen-Oh’s ear, then at Kay who looked uncomfortable in Nasty’s blue jeans and t-shirt. Both were too big for Kay, but they were far more appropriate than the filthy outfit she’d worn when she’d arrived. Nasty wondered how long they would be staying. She liked having the house full.
“He doesn’t like being dressed like a ningen,” Kay said, drawing Nasty out of her thoughts. She regarded Byakuen dressed in a pair of Treize’s trousers and nothing else. They’d barely gotten him to be still long enough to put the trousers on him.
Nasty laughed. “Mama Fan said it wasn’t proper to have a naked full-grown man in the house with women and children - demon tiger or not.”
Kay put her hand to her mouth and laughed softly.
“You don’t have to stand, you know. Come and sit with me.” Nasty patted the seat beside her.
Kay bowed low before she started into the room.
“Ah… you really don’t have to do that.”
Kay didn’t say anything in return, but gracefully made her way across the room. Nasty had never seen a girl who could walk go gracefully. Kay was still just a child, but she held herself with a more regal bearing than any noble Nasty had ever met.
'In a few years, her brothers will be beating off the boys. Rajura, especially. Can’t see him letting any boy get his hot little paws on his baby sister.’ It was enough to make Nasty laugh, even if it wasn’t all that funny. Rajura was extremely protective, especially after the disaster that had separated his family.
Sitting though their leaving taking had been anything but fun.
Flash back-
“What is it?” Kay didn’t so much as turn to look at Rajura. She stood beside Mama Fan at the sink and dried the dishes that Mama Fan had just washed.
Rajura frowned at her back. “We’re leaving for a…”
“Leaving?!” Kay whirled around and dropped her drying towel and stared at Rajura with fear blatant in her eyes.
Rajura’s frown deepened and he stepped closer to her. “We’re going on a rescue mission. It won’t take us long. You be a good girl while I'm gone."
Kay closed her mouth and her face tightened.
It was like winter suddenly moved in, the cold that washed through the room at Kay's glare. She turned her back on him and put her hands on the edge of the sink. "Just leave."
Rajura stayed where he was. "Kay?"
Kay was quiet a moment. Her shoulders tensed. “I was waiting for you.”
The terrible silence made Nasty tightened her arms around Lai.
Rajura went to Kay and put his hand on her shoulder.
“I waited for you. I knew you’d come.” Kay shrugged his hand off. “I screamed for you. I cried. I was so scared, but I knew you’d come.” Her head lowered. “You didn’t. No one did.”
Mama Fan didn't say a word, though her eyes did keep darting between the two of them, like she really wanted to say something, but knew when to keep her mouth shut.
“Kay… ” Rajura came forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
Again, Kay pulled away from him. She slipped an arm around Mama Fan’s broad waist and leaned against her. “Everything went dark and that... thing came into my room." Kay's fingers were playing distractedly with the strings of Mama Fan's apron. "It made me do bad things." Kay choked as she spoke. "He made me LIKE doing bad things. I thought you'd never come for me and it made me hate you!" Kay wailed, unable to hold it back anymore, and buried her face in Mama Fan's side.
Rajura went down to his knees and pulled Kay fiercely into a tight embrace. “My sweet Kayura. I... we would never abandon you." He began petting her hair lovingly and rocking her slightly as she cried. "We couldn't get you because we couldn't find you. I'm so sorry. None of us ever wanted you to be hurt."
Kay pulled away from him and dried her tears with a wipe of her sleeve across her face. Her cool expression came back as she backed away from him until she was next to Mama Fan again. Kay bent and picked up her drying towel with shaking hands. “You should go now.”
End Flashback-
"What are you staring at?” Kay sat with her hands folded on her knees and her feet held daintily together. “Do I look so odd in these clothes?”
“No. You look fine. I was just… thinking.”
“About what, if I may ask?”
“You. Your brothers.”
Kay looked back down at her lap. “Do you suppose they’ll be back soon?”
“As soon as they can.”
Kay’s hands tightened on her knees. “I want… Mama Sh’ten died. It was to rescue me. He’s not coming back.”
Nasty felt a pang for the girl. “No. He’s not. I can’t think of anything really comforting. My parents died when Treize and I were very young - younger than you - and I know that nothing anyone said helped. It felt like my whole world had collapsed. Time will help.”
“I don’t want to wait. I want to stop hurting now. But,” Kay looked at Nasty with watery eyes. “I’m afraid if it stops hurting, I’ll forget. I don’t want to forget. I just want to stop crying.”
Nasty put both arms around Kay. “Crying isn’t a bad thing.”
The phone very suddenly and Kay jumped a little, quickly wiping her eyes dry, as if afraid to be caught crying.
Nasty reached over to the side table and answered the telephone. "Hello. Kushranada residence."
"Hello. May I speak with Yagiyu Nasutei or Treize Kushranada?"
"This is Yagiyu Nasutei speaking. How can I help you?"
"Yagiyu-san. I'm sorry to have to say this, but I'm Police Inspector Wong. I need you to come down to the police station."
"Is there a problem?" Nasty bit her lip and wondered if there had been a mistake with Une’s body. She hadn’t given it much thought after the cleaning crew had arrived to take care of the situation - they so rarely made mistakes that there was no reason to worry about it. “Perhaps this is something that can be taken care of over the telephone?”
"I’m afraid not, Yagiyu-san. I really would prefer it if you could come to the station. Do you have someone to drive you or would you like an officer to come pick you up?"
"No. That's alright. I can get there myself." Treize had enough cars hanging around that Nasty could borrow one. For that matter, she could probably steal one and he’d never realize. "I'll be down in about a half and hour."
When she hung up, Nasty noticed Mama Fan standing a few feet away, waiting. "Is something wrong, Nasty, dear?"
"No, mama." Nasty stood up. "I need to go into the city for a little while. Will you be alright here alone?"
Mama Fan nodded and smiled cheerily. “Oh, we’ll be just fine. Don’t you worry. When you get back, dinner should be ready if those boys have returned.”
“You will be safe, won’t you?” Kay stood closely by Mama Fan’s side. For all the love and attention her brothers showered her with, the girl had never known a mother, or any woman to look up to. It seemed that she’d adopted Mama Fan. “That wasn’t a good call. You looked worried.”
“It’s probably nothing. Certainly, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll be back very shortly. While I’m gone, the guard will be in earshot. Yell if you need anything and he’ll come running.”
Zechs-
Zechs carried Noin out of the apartment building and passed the waiting boys. He still didn’t entirely understand what was going on, but so long as Noin was safe, explanations could wait.
Treize hurried ahead to open the car door for Zechs. It was an awkward fit to slid into the car with Noin, but there were only two seats.
“I can walk,” Noin protested, though her eyes kept drifting closed. “Not… not hurt that bad.”
“Of course not.” Treize told her, pleasantly. “Just sit still a moment. There.” He fastened the seatbelt over both Zechs and Noin. “We’ll have you home and in bed before you know it.”
Noin scowled at him, but she was asleep before Treize got behind the driver’s wheel.
Treize smiled fondly at her and brushed the hair away from her eyes. “You knew about that boy’s talent for healing, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Zechs met Treize’s eyes without a hint of guilt. “Noin asked me not to tell you. She’s afraid for him.”
“Like any good big sister would be. I understand.” He drove far slower than Noin, even slower than Zechs. “Sensible, not slow,” Treize had corrected when Zechs had mentioned it, once. “I drive sensibly unlike you two maniacs.”
They drove in silence for quite a while and Zechs spent that time looking out the window at the armored boys running alongside of the car. Magic was something he was quite unprepared to deal with. It also brought up another difficulty. All these people who’d found their way to Treize’s home would have to be housed and Zechs wasn’t entirely certain he wanted all of them living at Treize’s house.
'Noin's brother will take her home and he'll probably want to take Ryou, also. Ryou will want to take Duo and Duo will want to take Heero. Mama Fan will go back to her home and take Xiu, Wufei, and Lai. Possibly Shin. Quatre will go to his home and take Touma and Trowa.’ That still left the three young men as well as the little girl, Kay. Zechs had no doubts that kindly Mama Fan would take in Kay, but he wasn’t sure about the young men.
"Tomorrow General Septum is coming for a 'friendly little visit.'" Treize gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Zechs frowned at the sudden announcement. “When were you planning to tell me?”
“We’ve been rather busy.” Treize smirked without taking his eyes off the road. “Between my house being demolished by magical people, tigers infesting my current home, kidnappings, and more pleasant pastimes,” his smirked grew broader. “I quite forgot about Septum. Forgive me. Besides, I wasn’t informed until a short time ago, myself. It won't be easy to explain a house full of three young men, ten boys, one little girl, one Chinese mama, one toddler, and two tigers. Not to mention that one of my soldiers is wounded and I won't be able to explain how she got hurt without betraying Quatre."
“We’ll manage,” Zechs desperately tried to squash the fear Septum’s visit always inspired. He cuddled Noin a little closer, as if she were a teddy bear. Treize was right to be worried about Septum’s visit. The man despised Treize and would do anything to spoil
Treize’s work, even though he didn’t know what Treize was trying to accomplish with OZ. “We always do.”
“Yes.” Treize didn’t sound happy. “Somehow, we always scrape by, but I don’t like to rely on hope and luck. I’m so close…”
"Tell me what you want me to do." Zechs held Noin a little closer. He'd been hoping that she'd be able to rest at Treize's home where they could keep a closer eye on her, but it couldn't be helped if she needed to be moved somewhere else.
"There's no way to hide everyone." Treize said morosely. "I can't possibly hide everyone in time for his visit and I KNOW that over-inflated ego with a mustache is going to use any excuse he can find to weaken my position with the Alliance."
"Why do you have to hide anything?" Zechs asked. "It's no crime to have house guests and you can just say they're friends, or friends of mine or Noin. We can let the tigers out into the forest behind your home. I'm sure they'll be happy enough for the hour or so before Septum leaves."
Treize shook his head. "Septum will find some way to make it look bad in the eyes of the Alliance. You know how he is." Treize suddenly slapped the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. "Damn it! I NEED the Alliance if I'm going to strengthen OZ. If any one of those hypocritical old men gets the idea that I'm anything more than a glorified talking head, everything will be ruined."
"We could always kill Septum." Zechs kept his face serious. "We'll tell the Alliance it was a tragic mishap with a blender."
"What?!" Treize asked in disbelief, though his expression lightened somewhat.
"Or we could say it was overexposure to cottage cheese."
Treize glanced at Zechs out of the corner of his eye. His lips twitched. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. You wanted a way to get rid of this Septum problem and I'm trying to help. Let's see... we could call a plumber, they usually take care of septic problems and this isn't to far a stretch. He certainly gives off a rather bad smell."
Treize snickered.
"Oh!" Zechs dramatically put a hand over his heart. "He was so young to die! That mustache wax was the end of him. I always told him it was bad for his health, but he wouldn't listen!"
Treize finally laughed out loud and slapped Zechs' shoulder. "Stop it! I'm driving! Do you mind leaving the comedy for another day?"
"That all depends on if you're finished moping or not. I promise we'll figure something out, just relax a bit. Soon everyone's going to be safe at home and we'll go back to worrying about politics." Zechs knew there was going to be more complications to the situation than that, but he really wanted Treize to relax for a little while. The man was constantly shouldering far to much responsibility.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me nervous, you know."
“I can imagine.” The last time Septum had chosen to pay Treize a visit he’d given the polite suggestion that Treize’s hair was too long. The next day, Treize had gotten orders to have it cut to a more respectable length. “Honestly, what do they think it wrong now? Are you wearing your boots too high? Maybe they think you’re using the wrong toothpaste. Have you ever had a private life?”
Treize snorted. “Yes. Before Grandmother Kushranada took me from Grandfather Yagiyu. There’s a day I’ll never forget. That’s not what I’m talking about, though. Look out your window." Treize gestured with his head to either side of the car. Outside, running easily, were the four armored boys who'd come back with them. On Zechs' side of the car were Shin and Touma. On the other side were Xiu and Ryou with Duo riding on Ryou's back. "It is physically impossible for any human to move like that, yet they're hardly trying."
It was true. The boys, while they ran, were talking amiably and they didn't even look winded. "It’s also impossible to summon lightening, but Anubisu did it. I don't suppose they'd just tell us what's going on if we just asked them, would they?"
"I highly doubt it." Treize almost smiled at that. "There's no science that can explain what's happening with them. I want to know what they can do and what they intend to do with all that power. That boy, Duo, still hates me and there's no way to prove I had nothing to do with his orphanage destruction or the death of all those children. My signature WAS on the orders. I didn't sign it, but they have plenty of rubber stamps with my signature they use when they need to do something and not take any blame for it. Duo has a lot of influence over Ryou and those others, so he could convince them I'm the enemy and then I'll have another war to fight. I don’t want to fight children."
Zechs didn't like seeing Treize like this. He looked terribly tired. Worn out from things he honestly couldn't control. "I wish I knew how to help you."
This time, Treize did smile. "You do help. You're here and you've never doubted me. That's the one thing I really need."
Shin-
Kushranada’s car sped easily along the road, but it wasn’t hard to keep up. Shin almost laughed at how easy it was. It was almost frighteningly easy. Shin bit his lip as he ran and stole glances at his friends. He could still feel them inside of himself. Like a background humming, they were always with him. Even when he slept and fell into deep dreams, he could feel them.
“What are you thinking about?” Touma moved closer to Shin and had to yell to be heard over the rush of wind. “You look so serious. We won. We got the girl and Kitty back.”
“No. Anubisu got her back. We weren’t needed at all. What happens to us, now?” Shin paused then looked away from Touma. BY THE WAY, I’M GOING TO OFFER NAAZA MY BED.
Shock ran through their whole group.
Touma staggered and almost fell, but quickly caught up with Shin again. YOU WHAT?!
HE'S LONELY! Shin defended his desire to help Naaza. HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO LEAN ON AND WITHOUT SH'TEN HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYONE. He could feel waves of hurt and anger rolling off Touma and Xiu, enflamed that Shin would turn to someone else.
HE HAS RAJURA AND ANUBISU! Touma said, almost angrily. THEY BOTH LOVE HIM, YOU CAN'T MISS THAT!
BUT THEY'VE BEEN MAKING EYES AT SEIJI'S SISTER AND NAAZA FEELS EXCLUDED. HE CAN'T BRING HIMELF TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH A NINGEN AND THAT'S HOW HE SEES NOIN.
Seiji, from where he was still with Heero at the apartment, showed a brief flare of anger and distrust. It was no laughing matter. He took the perceived threat to his sister very seriously. Ryou, carrying Duo on his back, sent soothing thoughts to Seji and the anger slowly eased.
NAAZA CAN STILL GO TO RAJURA AND ANUBISU. HE DOESN'T NEED TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM US. Xiu's thoughts were possessive and jealous. He apparently didn't mind sharing Shin with Touma, or even Ryou or Seiji, but anyone else was unacceptable. RAJURA AND ANUBISU HAVE BOTH OFFERED HIM COMFORT AND HE'S PUSHED THEM AWAY. HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE HELPED.
Shin held firm. HE'S NOT TRYING TO TAKE ME AWAY FROM YOU, I'M GOING TO OFFER A SHOULDER TO CRY ON, THAT'S ALL. A WARM BED AND SOMEONE THAT HE CAN TALK TO. HE NEEDS SOMEONE. IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT, THAT'S FINE, BUT IF HE DOES, I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT HE'S WELCOME IN MY BED.
WHAT DOES HAVING A SHOULDER TO CRY ON HAVE TO DO WITH SEX? Touma’s face was scrunched up in anger.
WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT SEX? Shin asked. I JUST SAID I'D GIVE HIM A PLACE TO SLEEP! YOU ALL KNOW THAT THEY'RE THE SAME AS WE ARE. PHYSICAL CONTACT MAKES US MORE COMFORTABLE. HE'LL BE HAPPIER WITH SOMEONE TO SLEEP WITH, THAT'S ALL. Shin said. AS FOR SEX, THAT'S BETWEEN NAAZA AND MYSELF AND IF I WANT TO, YOU'VE GOT NO RIGHT TO OBJECT! YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MY HEART. Though his words were strong, Shin waited nervously for Touma and Xiu to respond.
YOU'RE LEAVING US JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL BAD FOR THE GUY? Xiu asked in disbelief.
OF COURSE I'M NOT LEAVING YOU! Shin shouted, insulted. HE NEEDS SOMEONE OR HE'S GOING TO LOSE HIS MIND. HE’S STILL VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH SH'TEN. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF TOUMA AND I SUDDENLY DIED, XIU? OR, TOUMA, WHAT IF YOU WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION? YOU'D WANT SOMEONE TO LEAN ON, TOO.
Xiu shook his head. I CAN'T SAY I'M HAPPY ABOUT IT, BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO...
I GUESS WE CAN ACCEPT IT. Touma added in, sounding just as unhappy as Xiu. SO LONG AS YOU DON'T FORGET ABOUT US AND LEAVE OUR BED COLD PERMENANTLY. I GUESS WE CAN DEAL.
YEAH. IT'S NOT LIKE WE CAN CONTROL WHAT YOU DO, OR ANYTHING.
Shin beamed in happiness. OH, THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!
I NEVER SAID I WAS HAPPY, ONLY THAT I ACCEPT YOUR CHOICE. Xiu grinned evilly. BESIDES, I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL CATHY THAT YOU'VE BEEN SLEEPING WITH THREE GUYS. I'M SURE SHE'LL BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT YOU'VE TURNED INTO A TRAMP WHILE ON EARTH.
Shin paled. YOU WOULDN'T.
Shu just smiled. YOU LITTLE SLUT.
OH, DAMN. YOU WOULD.
A short while later-
Nasutei-
"We need you to identify a body, Yagiyu-San." The officer that met Nasty at the police station was polite and profession. He bowed slightly before leading her to the morgue. “The basement, I’m afraid. We aren’t haven’t had the new wing built, yet. Are you certain you’ll be alright? We can wait for your brother to be contacted.”
Nasty shook her head. "I'm a big girl, officer. I can handle this."
"As you wish. Please, follow me." They went through a pair of heavy metal doors and down a windowless stairway. Only one flight down and he led her into a narrow, quiet hallway.
Nasty felt herself growing more and more nervous with each step. Only the sounds of Nasty's shoes clicking with every step on the tile floor broke the silence.
The morgue wasn't as quiet as Nasty had thought it would be. There were several people in white lab coats talking to each other as they worked on cadavers, casually chatting while slicing up bodies. The smell of chemicals and bleach nearly made Nasty flee from the room, but the police officer looked at her just them.
"Yagiyu-san? Are you ready?"
"Yes, of course." Nasty steeled herself.
The table he took her to was in the back of the morgue, left alone and presumably untouched by the morgue workers. The police officer took a hold of the white sheet and gave her a serious look. "Please tell me if this person is familiar to you, Yagiyu-san." He pulled it back only just enough for Nasty to see the face of the dead man, no doubt trying to be as gentle as he could for a girl.
Nasty stared down at the face, but said nothing for a moment.
"Yagiyu-San?"
Nasty felt her whole world reel. 'Grandfather. He promised to give me away when I got married. He said he wanted to hold his first grandchild. He always wanted me to help him write that book and I was too busy.'
"Yagiyu-San?"
A soft touch to her elbow startled Nasty back to reality. "Yes. I'm fine. This is my grandfather, Professor Yagiyu. What happened?"
"I'm sorry for your loss, miss. Your grandfather was apparently shot in the back at point blank range in his home, Yagiyu-San. We've had forensic experts all over the crime scene, but we've come up with very little. Do you have any idea who would have done this? Anyone with a motive or a grudge against your grandfather?"
Nasty shook her head. "No. No one who comes to mind, anyway. Does anyone else know about this?"
"No, Yagiyu-San. We thought it best to inform family first."
Nasty nodded, appreciating the consideration. "You said you've found very little at his house. That implies that you did find something."
"Yes, Yagiyu-San. I'm afraid it's still under investigation, but... " He pulled a black glove in a plastic bag out of his pocket and showed it to Nasty. "Did you're grandfather own anything like this?"
"No." Nasty answered promptly. "Grandfather only ever wore white gloves. This... " She looked a little closer. "Is an Alliance issue glove, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Yagiyu-San. That's apart of our investigation and I can't tell you anything at this time." He quickly shoved the glove back into his pocket.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Nasty asked, fixing the image of the black glove in her mind.
He frowned, replacing the white sheet over her grandfather's face, as if he were puzzled by her reaction to all of this. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine. If you don't need me for anything else, I need to go." Nasty began walking away as soon as he'd said he was done. "I'll have all arrangements made for him by tomorrow morning. Please, call me if you need anything else." She walked stiffly out of the morgue, ignoring the stares of the morgue workers who'd begun to pay attention to her after she hadn't broken down in hysterical tears.
"Talk about cold." One of them muttered just before the door swung closed behind Nasty.
In the lonely corridor outside the morgue, Nasty’s step faltered. She paused and leaned one hand against the wall.
She could still feel his arms around her when Treize had been taken away and she’d tried to chase after Grandmother Kushranada’s car. She could hear him singing to her that first night when she could do nothing but cry. She remembered eating popcorn with him during late-night movies.
With a little shake, Nasty stood straight and composed her face.
On the front steps of the police station Nasty stopped short and blinked at the sharp eyed reporters and their camera crews.
"Yagiyu-San! Is it true that your grandfather was murdered?"
"Will this have any impact with the Alliance and how your brother runs it?"
"Are there plans for revenge? How will he find the criminal?"
"How do you feel Yagiyu-San?"
"Does general Kushranada know about the murder, yet?"
Nasty stared fixedly ahead. She stood on the top step of the police station's entrance, and waited very patiently for the questions to stop.
After a long wait, everyone fell silent and waited expectantly, holding their breaths.
One step at a time, Nasty made her way down the steps, knowing full well that no one here would dare to lay hands on her for fear of Treize. As Nasty came down the stairs, the reporters, photographers, and cameramen backed down also, giving her plenty of space. Treize's car was just a head of her. Just a few more feet and she'd be safe.
Dorothy-
‘Beautiful! Simply beautiful!’ Dorothy watched the drama from a short distance down the street. Nasty’s pale face turned ashen when she saw the reporters. 'Treize will kill simply everyone just to make her happy.’
Dorothy was so happy that she’d alerted the reporters about the tragedy. She waved a hand wildly and called out, "Oh, Nasutei!"
Nasty-
Nasty turned, startled at the familiar and unwanted voice. "Hello, Dorothy." Nasty forced a polite smile for her cousin when Dorothy appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her in a tight hug. The hug left Nasty feeling cold.
The reports, who still hovered around, took full advantage of this and started peppering Dorothy with questions.
Dorothy kept one arm around Nasty, but turned to the reporter with a disapproving frown. "You really are horrible! You should all leave her alone so she can grieve." Dorothy hugged Nasty again, but kept her eyes on the reporters. "Nasutei was very close to her grandfather and she's heartbroken, even if she is keeping it all inside. I tell you, once Treize get finds out about this, there's going to be Hell to pay! He'll never take this laying down!"
Instead of pushing away from her least favorite relative, Nasty pulled Dorothy closer. "Why don't you come home with me, Dorothy? I need someone to talk to." She made her voice sound small and vulnerable, knowing that anyone who saw her like this would think it was from sadness and they'd feel pity for her and Treize. Dorothy had done enough damage with her little speech.
Dorothy agreed and they both climbed into Treize's car, leaving the reporters behind without another word.
"I just heard about grandfather Yagiyu. I'm so sorry, you must be just devastated!" Dorothy said, but she didn't look sorry. There wasn't a hint of concern or tears in her eyes.
'You sure want to smile, though, don't you?' Nasty thought bitterly, seeing her cousin's lips twinge out of the corner of her eyes. "Thank you for your concern. I don't understand how you already know, though, or those reporters for that matter. The police said I was the first one they informed."
Dorothy gave her a sly grin. "I have my sources. As for those reporters, I really don't know. I suppose some awful person must have leaked the information. That's bad, you know. Why, if Treize reacts badly, it could hurt his career. But I was wondering where Treize is. I was sure he'd be with you."
"Treize is away at the moment." Nasty frowned. There was something wrong with the whole situation.
"What a shame." Dorothy said. "Well, you can let me out here, Nasutei." She pointed to a street corner. "You're well enough away from those reporters that they won't catch you until you get home and if you're lucky you'll beat them to the gates. I suggest you have extra security installed to keep them out. This is going to be the biggest news in the world for a little while. Unless, Treize does something... interesting, in which case this could be news for a long, long time."
There were no reporters waiting at the house, thankfully.
Nasty left the garage and walked around the house instead of going straight in. She really didn't want to have to answer any of the questions that Mama Fan would have. Nasty went all around the house and through the back garden until she came to her bedroom window. With a bit of effort, Nasty managed to pry open her window and climb into her room.
The first thing she did was pick up her telephone and dial the secure number Treize had given her for the head of the house’s security. “Be on guard. Let no one onto the property without my express permission. No. Treize will stand behind me on this. I’ll assume all responsibility. There could be reporters lurking around. Keep them away from the house. Don’t let our guests outside. It’s not safe.” She licked her dry lips. “My grandfather has been murdered. The police don’t know who the murderer is or where they are. No one gets in. Understand?”
The soldier on the other end of the telephone snapped his understanding and Nasty hung up the telephone. She closed her window and locked it before drawing the shade.
Once she was completely alone and certain that she wouldn’t be interrupted Nasty fell on her bed and began sobbing.
To be continued...
Nasty-
Byakuen was miserable.
He sullenly lay on the floor between the sofa and the television and made no effort to move, not even when Kokuen-Oh lay beside him and began lapping at his long white hair. Byakuen batted his hand at Kokuen-Oh, but his twin ignored the gesture and kept grooming Byakuen as if Byakuen weren’t a human man - a very unhappy human man.
It should have made Nasty nervous. Any sensible person would have been phoning for animal control the moment the two tigers had strolled into the house. Instead, they’d made themselves right at home and no one, not even mistrustful Treize, had given them much more than a second thought. Nasty found that she wasn’t even a bit afraid to be alone with the two tigers with just baby Lai for company.
They weren’t normal tigers, that much was obvious. They were too intelligent to be just animals. They’d shown no signs of any urge to hunt or eat the people they were around so often. Rajura hadn’t so much as hesitated when he’d said that Byakuen and Kokuen-Oh would stay with the women and children. All the same, Nasty’s instincts shouted at her to get the baby away from the tiger.
Byakuen made a growling sound, but Kokuen-Oh purred and held Byakuen down with a paw that could have easily crushed any human. In the end, Byakuen gave up and lay his head on the floor to allow the attention.
Little Lai, innocent of any danger, squirmed off Nasty’s lap and landed on her feet on the floor. She stood there a moment, wobbled, then steadied herself. She took a few ginger steps towards the pair on the floor then fell down onto her hands and knees and started crawling.
Byakuen watched her with a pout that made Nasty put a hand to her mouth to hide a smile. He looked so envious. He had yet to figure out how to walk on only two legs and could barely crawl. He tilted his head enough to watch Lai’s approach and rested his cheek on his crossed arms.
The baby laughed when she reached Byakuen and grabbed at his hair. She used his hair to pull herself up and, still laughing, slapped one hand on Kokuen-Oh’s face.
“He won’t hurt her,” Kay stood in the doorway of the parlor with a faint smile as she watched the tigers and Lai. “They’re both used to small children.” Kay bowed elegantly to Nasty before stepping into the room. “When I was very small, they used to let me ride on their backs.” Kay bowed low to Nasty, very formally and looking as if she'd practiced this greeting many times. "Good morning, Nasutei-san." Kay said, her rich voice soft and yet strangely strong. “You look tense. You’re worried for your brother?”
Kokuen-Oh did nothing about Lai but continue grooming Byakuen.
“And the others. Noin’s one of my closest friends and Quatre’s one of my cousins.” They’d never been close, though no fault of their. Their father’s hadn’t gotten along well. There had been some family meetings where she’d exchanged a few words with her younger cousin, but those times had been few and far between. However, from what little she knew, she’d liked him from what she knew of him.
Treize didn’t trust Quatre, but Treize trusted very few people. He had once spoken of Quatre’s with a great deal of respect but warned Nasty to keep the family relationship quiet. “It wouldn’t be good if it were known we were related - for them or us.”
It was politics, of course. They didn’t exactly hide the family relationship, but they never went out of their way to advertise it.
"Never underestimate him," Treize had once warned Nasty. "If I ever feared that someone would take over the world, besides me, it would be him."
Nasty looked at Lai, tugging on Kokuen-Oh’s ear, then at Kay who looked uncomfortable in Nasty’s blue jeans and t-shirt. Both were too big for Kay, but they were far more appropriate than the filthy outfit she’d worn when she’d arrived. Nasty wondered how long they would be staying. She liked having the house full.
“He doesn’t like being dressed like a ningen,” Kay said, drawing Nasty out of her thoughts. She regarded Byakuen dressed in a pair of Treize’s trousers and nothing else. They’d barely gotten him to be still long enough to put the trousers on him.
Nasty laughed. “Mama Fan said it wasn’t proper to have a naked full-grown man in the house with women and children - demon tiger or not.”
Kay put her hand to her mouth and laughed softly.
“You don’t have to stand, you know. Come and sit with me.” Nasty patted the seat beside her.
Kay bowed low before she started into the room.
“Ah… you really don’t have to do that.”
Kay didn’t say anything in return, but gracefully made her way across the room. Nasty had never seen a girl who could walk go gracefully. Kay was still just a child, but she held herself with a more regal bearing than any noble Nasty had ever met.
'In a few years, her brothers will be beating off the boys. Rajura, especially. Can’t see him letting any boy get his hot little paws on his baby sister.’ It was enough to make Nasty laugh, even if it wasn’t all that funny. Rajura was extremely protective, especially after the disaster that had separated his family.
Sitting though their leaving taking had been anything but fun.
Flash back-
“What is it?” Kay didn’t so much as turn to look at Rajura. She stood beside Mama Fan at the sink and dried the dishes that Mama Fan had just washed.
Rajura frowned at her back. “We’re leaving for a…”
“Leaving?!” Kay whirled around and dropped her drying towel and stared at Rajura with fear blatant in her eyes.
Rajura’s frown deepened and he stepped closer to her. “We’re going on a rescue mission. It won’t take us long. You be a good girl while I'm gone."
Kay closed her mouth and her face tightened.
It was like winter suddenly moved in, the cold that washed through the room at Kay's glare. She turned her back on him and put her hands on the edge of the sink. "Just leave."
Rajura stayed where he was. "Kay?"
Kay was quiet a moment. Her shoulders tensed. “I was waiting for you.”
The terrible silence made Nasty tightened her arms around Lai.
Rajura went to Kay and put his hand on her shoulder.
“I waited for you. I knew you’d come.” Kay shrugged his hand off. “I screamed for you. I cried. I was so scared, but I knew you’d come.” Her head lowered. “You didn’t. No one did.”
Mama Fan didn't say a word, though her eyes did keep darting between the two of them, like she really wanted to say something, but knew when to keep her mouth shut.
“Kay… ” Rajura came forward and put his hand on her shoulder.
Again, Kay pulled away from him. She slipped an arm around Mama Fan’s broad waist and leaned against her. “Everything went dark and that... thing came into my room." Kay's fingers were playing distractedly with the strings of Mama Fan's apron. "It made me do bad things." Kay choked as she spoke. "He made me LIKE doing bad things. I thought you'd never come for me and it made me hate you!" Kay wailed, unable to hold it back anymore, and buried her face in Mama Fan's side.
Rajura went down to his knees and pulled Kay fiercely into a tight embrace. “My sweet Kayura. I... we would never abandon you." He began petting her hair lovingly and rocking her slightly as she cried. "We couldn't get you because we couldn't find you. I'm so sorry. None of us ever wanted you to be hurt."
Kay pulled away from him and dried her tears with a wipe of her sleeve across her face. Her cool expression came back as she backed away from him until she was next to Mama Fan again. Kay bent and picked up her drying towel with shaking hands. “You should go now.”
End Flashback-
"What are you staring at?” Kay sat with her hands folded on her knees and her feet held daintily together. “Do I look so odd in these clothes?”
“No. You look fine. I was just… thinking.”
“About what, if I may ask?”
“You. Your brothers.”
Kay looked back down at her lap. “Do you suppose they’ll be back soon?”
“As soon as they can.”
Kay’s hands tightened on her knees. “I want… Mama Sh’ten died. It was to rescue me. He’s not coming back.”
Nasty felt a pang for the girl. “No. He’s not. I can’t think of anything really comforting. My parents died when Treize and I were very young - younger than you - and I know that nothing anyone said helped. It felt like my whole world had collapsed. Time will help.”
“I don’t want to wait. I want to stop hurting now. But,” Kay looked at Nasty with watery eyes. “I’m afraid if it stops hurting, I’ll forget. I don’t want to forget. I just want to stop crying.”
Nasty put both arms around Kay. “Crying isn’t a bad thing.”
The phone very suddenly and Kay jumped a little, quickly wiping her eyes dry, as if afraid to be caught crying.
Nasty reached over to the side table and answered the telephone. "Hello. Kushranada residence."
"Hello. May I speak with Yagiyu Nasutei or Treize Kushranada?"
"This is Yagiyu Nasutei speaking. How can I help you?"
"Yagiyu-san. I'm sorry to have to say this, but I'm Police Inspector Wong. I need you to come down to the police station."
"Is there a problem?" Nasty bit her lip and wondered if there had been a mistake with Une’s body. She hadn’t given it much thought after the cleaning crew had arrived to take care of the situation - they so rarely made mistakes that there was no reason to worry about it. “Perhaps this is something that can be taken care of over the telephone?”
"I’m afraid not, Yagiyu-san. I really would prefer it if you could come to the station. Do you have someone to drive you or would you like an officer to come pick you up?"
"No. That's alright. I can get there myself." Treize had enough cars hanging around that Nasty could borrow one. For that matter, she could probably steal one and he’d never realize. "I'll be down in about a half and hour."
When she hung up, Nasty noticed Mama Fan standing a few feet away, waiting. "Is something wrong, Nasty, dear?"
"No, mama." Nasty stood up. "I need to go into the city for a little while. Will you be alright here alone?"
Mama Fan nodded and smiled cheerily. “Oh, we’ll be just fine. Don’t you worry. When you get back, dinner should be ready if those boys have returned.”
“You will be safe, won’t you?” Kay stood closely by Mama Fan’s side. For all the love and attention her brothers showered her with, the girl had never known a mother, or any woman to look up to. It seemed that she’d adopted Mama Fan. “That wasn’t a good call. You looked worried.”
“It’s probably nothing. Certainly, it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll be back very shortly. While I’m gone, the guard will be in earshot. Yell if you need anything and he’ll come running.”
Zechs-
Zechs carried Noin out of the apartment building and passed the waiting boys. He still didn’t entirely understand what was going on, but so long as Noin was safe, explanations could wait.
Treize hurried ahead to open the car door for Zechs. It was an awkward fit to slid into the car with Noin, but there were only two seats.
“I can walk,” Noin protested, though her eyes kept drifting closed. “Not… not hurt that bad.”
“Of course not.” Treize told her, pleasantly. “Just sit still a moment. There.” He fastened the seatbelt over both Zechs and Noin. “We’ll have you home and in bed before you know it.”
Noin scowled at him, but she was asleep before Treize got behind the driver’s wheel.
Treize smiled fondly at her and brushed the hair away from her eyes. “You knew about that boy’s talent for healing, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Zechs met Treize’s eyes without a hint of guilt. “Noin asked me not to tell you. She’s afraid for him.”
“Like any good big sister would be. I understand.” He drove far slower than Noin, even slower than Zechs. “Sensible, not slow,” Treize had corrected when Zechs had mentioned it, once. “I drive sensibly unlike you two maniacs.”
They drove in silence for quite a while and Zechs spent that time looking out the window at the armored boys running alongside of the car. Magic was something he was quite unprepared to deal with. It also brought up another difficulty. All these people who’d found their way to Treize’s home would have to be housed and Zechs wasn’t entirely certain he wanted all of them living at Treize’s house.
'Noin's brother will take her home and he'll probably want to take Ryou, also. Ryou will want to take Duo and Duo will want to take Heero. Mama Fan will go back to her home and take Xiu, Wufei, and Lai. Possibly Shin. Quatre will go to his home and take Touma and Trowa.’ That still left the three young men as well as the little girl, Kay. Zechs had no doubts that kindly Mama Fan would take in Kay, but he wasn’t sure about the young men.
"Tomorrow General Septum is coming for a 'friendly little visit.'" Treize gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Zechs frowned at the sudden announcement. “When were you planning to tell me?”
“We’ve been rather busy.” Treize smirked without taking his eyes off the road. “Between my house being demolished by magical people, tigers infesting my current home, kidnappings, and more pleasant pastimes,” his smirked grew broader. “I quite forgot about Septum. Forgive me. Besides, I wasn’t informed until a short time ago, myself. It won't be easy to explain a house full of three young men, ten boys, one little girl, one Chinese mama, one toddler, and two tigers. Not to mention that one of my soldiers is wounded and I won't be able to explain how she got hurt without betraying Quatre."
“We’ll manage,” Zechs desperately tried to squash the fear Septum’s visit always inspired. He cuddled Noin a little closer, as if she were a teddy bear. Treize was right to be worried about Septum’s visit. The man despised Treize and would do anything to spoil
Treize’s work, even though he didn’t know what Treize was trying to accomplish with OZ. “We always do.”
“Yes.” Treize didn’t sound happy. “Somehow, we always scrape by, but I don’t like to rely on hope and luck. I’m so close…”
"Tell me what you want me to do." Zechs held Noin a little closer. He'd been hoping that she'd be able to rest at Treize's home where they could keep a closer eye on her, but it couldn't be helped if she needed to be moved somewhere else.
"There's no way to hide everyone." Treize said morosely. "I can't possibly hide everyone in time for his visit and I KNOW that over-inflated ego with a mustache is going to use any excuse he can find to weaken my position with the Alliance."
"Why do you have to hide anything?" Zechs asked. "It's no crime to have house guests and you can just say they're friends, or friends of mine or Noin. We can let the tigers out into the forest behind your home. I'm sure they'll be happy enough for the hour or so before Septum leaves."
Treize shook his head. "Septum will find some way to make it look bad in the eyes of the Alliance. You know how he is." Treize suddenly slapped the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. "Damn it! I NEED the Alliance if I'm going to strengthen OZ. If any one of those hypocritical old men gets the idea that I'm anything more than a glorified talking head, everything will be ruined."
"We could always kill Septum." Zechs kept his face serious. "We'll tell the Alliance it was a tragic mishap with a blender."
"What?!" Treize asked in disbelief, though his expression lightened somewhat.
"Or we could say it was overexposure to cottage cheese."
Treize glanced at Zechs out of the corner of his eye. His lips twitched. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. You wanted a way to get rid of this Septum problem and I'm trying to help. Let's see... we could call a plumber, they usually take care of septic problems and this isn't to far a stretch. He certainly gives off a rather bad smell."
Treize snickered.
"Oh!" Zechs dramatically put a hand over his heart. "He was so young to die! That mustache wax was the end of him. I always told him it was bad for his health, but he wouldn't listen!"
Treize finally laughed out loud and slapped Zechs' shoulder. "Stop it! I'm driving! Do you mind leaving the comedy for another day?"
"That all depends on if you're finished moping or not. I promise we'll figure something out, just relax a bit. Soon everyone's going to be safe at home and we'll go back to worrying about politics." Zechs knew there was going to be more complications to the situation than that, but he really wanted Treize to relax for a little while. The man was constantly shouldering far to much responsibility.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me nervous, you know."
“I can imagine.” The last time Septum had chosen to pay Treize a visit he’d given the polite suggestion that Treize’s hair was too long. The next day, Treize had gotten orders to have it cut to a more respectable length. “Honestly, what do they think it wrong now? Are you wearing your boots too high? Maybe they think you’re using the wrong toothpaste. Have you ever had a private life?”
Treize snorted. “Yes. Before Grandmother Kushranada took me from Grandfather Yagiyu. There’s a day I’ll never forget. That’s not what I’m talking about, though. Look out your window." Treize gestured with his head to either side of the car. Outside, running easily, were the four armored boys who'd come back with them. On Zechs' side of the car were Shin and Touma. On the other side were Xiu and Ryou with Duo riding on Ryou's back. "It is physically impossible for any human to move like that, yet they're hardly trying."
It was true. The boys, while they ran, were talking amiably and they didn't even look winded. "It’s also impossible to summon lightening, but Anubisu did it. I don't suppose they'd just tell us what's going on if we just asked them, would they?"
"I highly doubt it." Treize almost smiled at that. "There's no science that can explain what's happening with them. I want to know what they can do and what they intend to do with all that power. That boy, Duo, still hates me and there's no way to prove I had nothing to do with his orphanage destruction or the death of all those children. My signature WAS on the orders. I didn't sign it, but they have plenty of rubber stamps with my signature they use when they need to do something and not take any blame for it. Duo has a lot of influence over Ryou and those others, so he could convince them I'm the enemy and then I'll have another war to fight. I don’t want to fight children."
Zechs didn't like seeing Treize like this. He looked terribly tired. Worn out from things he honestly couldn't control. "I wish I knew how to help you."
This time, Treize did smile. "You do help. You're here and you've never doubted me. That's the one thing I really need."
Shin-
Kushranada’s car sped easily along the road, but it wasn’t hard to keep up. Shin almost laughed at how easy it was. It was almost frighteningly easy. Shin bit his lip as he ran and stole glances at his friends. He could still feel them inside of himself. Like a background humming, they were always with him. Even when he slept and fell into deep dreams, he could feel them.
“What are you thinking about?” Touma moved closer to Shin and had to yell to be heard over the rush of wind. “You look so serious. We won. We got the girl and Kitty back.”
“No. Anubisu got her back. We weren’t needed at all. What happens to us, now?” Shin paused then looked away from Touma. BY THE WAY, I’M GOING TO OFFER NAAZA MY BED.
Shock ran through their whole group.
Touma staggered and almost fell, but quickly caught up with Shin again. YOU WHAT?!
HE'S LONELY! Shin defended his desire to help Naaza. HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO LEAN ON AND WITHOUT SH'TEN HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYONE. He could feel waves of hurt and anger rolling off Touma and Xiu, enflamed that Shin would turn to someone else.
HE HAS RAJURA AND ANUBISU! Touma said, almost angrily. THEY BOTH LOVE HIM, YOU CAN'T MISS THAT!
BUT THEY'VE BEEN MAKING EYES AT SEIJI'S SISTER AND NAAZA FEELS EXCLUDED. HE CAN'T BRING HIMELF TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH A NINGEN AND THAT'S HOW HE SEES NOIN.
Seiji, from where he was still with Heero at the apartment, showed a brief flare of anger and distrust. It was no laughing matter. He took the perceived threat to his sister very seriously. Ryou, carrying Duo on his back, sent soothing thoughts to Seji and the anger slowly eased.
NAAZA CAN STILL GO TO RAJURA AND ANUBISU. HE DOESN'T NEED TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM US. Xiu's thoughts were possessive and jealous. He apparently didn't mind sharing Shin with Touma, or even Ryou or Seiji, but anyone else was unacceptable. RAJURA AND ANUBISU HAVE BOTH OFFERED HIM COMFORT AND HE'S PUSHED THEM AWAY. HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE HELPED.
Shin held firm. HE'S NOT TRYING TO TAKE ME AWAY FROM YOU, I'M GOING TO OFFER A SHOULDER TO CRY ON, THAT'S ALL. A WARM BED AND SOMEONE THAT HE CAN TALK TO. HE NEEDS SOMEONE. IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT, THAT'S FINE, BUT IF HE DOES, I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT HE'S WELCOME IN MY BED.
WHAT DOES HAVING A SHOULDER TO CRY ON HAVE TO DO WITH SEX? Touma’s face was scrunched up in anger.
WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT SEX? Shin asked. I JUST SAID I'D GIVE HIM A PLACE TO SLEEP! YOU ALL KNOW THAT THEY'RE THE SAME AS WE ARE. PHYSICAL CONTACT MAKES US MORE COMFORTABLE. HE'LL BE HAPPIER WITH SOMEONE TO SLEEP WITH, THAT'S ALL. Shin said. AS FOR SEX, THAT'S BETWEEN NAAZA AND MYSELF AND IF I WANT TO, YOU'VE GOT NO RIGHT TO OBJECT! YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MY HEART. Though his words were strong, Shin waited nervously for Touma and Xiu to respond.
YOU'RE LEAVING US JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL BAD FOR THE GUY? Xiu asked in disbelief.
OF COURSE I'M NOT LEAVING YOU! Shin shouted, insulted. HE NEEDS SOMEONE OR HE'S GOING TO LOSE HIS MIND. HE’S STILL VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH SH'TEN. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF TOUMA AND I SUDDENLY DIED, XIU? OR, TOUMA, WHAT IF YOU WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION? YOU'D WANT SOMEONE TO LEAN ON, TOO.
Xiu shook his head. I CAN'T SAY I'M HAPPY ABOUT IT, BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO...
I GUESS WE CAN ACCEPT IT. Touma added in, sounding just as unhappy as Xiu. SO LONG AS YOU DON'T FORGET ABOUT US AND LEAVE OUR BED COLD PERMENANTLY. I GUESS WE CAN DEAL.
YEAH. IT'S NOT LIKE WE CAN CONTROL WHAT YOU DO, OR ANYTHING.
Shin beamed in happiness. OH, THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING!
I NEVER SAID I WAS HAPPY, ONLY THAT I ACCEPT YOUR CHOICE. Xiu grinned evilly. BESIDES, I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL CATHY THAT YOU'VE BEEN SLEEPING WITH THREE GUYS. I'M SURE SHE'LL BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT YOU'VE TURNED INTO A TRAMP WHILE ON EARTH.
Shin paled. YOU WOULDN'T.
Shu just smiled. YOU LITTLE SLUT.
OH, DAMN. YOU WOULD.
A short while later-
Nasutei-
"We need you to identify a body, Yagiyu-San." The officer that met Nasty at the police station was polite and profession. He bowed slightly before leading her to the morgue. “The basement, I’m afraid. We aren’t haven’t had the new wing built, yet. Are you certain you’ll be alright? We can wait for your brother to be contacted.”
Nasty shook her head. "I'm a big girl, officer. I can handle this."
"As you wish. Please, follow me." They went through a pair of heavy metal doors and down a windowless stairway. Only one flight down and he led her into a narrow, quiet hallway.
Nasty felt herself growing more and more nervous with each step. Only the sounds of Nasty's shoes clicking with every step on the tile floor broke the silence.
The morgue wasn't as quiet as Nasty had thought it would be. There were several people in white lab coats talking to each other as they worked on cadavers, casually chatting while slicing up bodies. The smell of chemicals and bleach nearly made Nasty flee from the room, but the police officer looked at her just them.
"Yagiyu-san? Are you ready?"
"Yes, of course." Nasty steeled herself.
The table he took her to was in the back of the morgue, left alone and presumably untouched by the morgue workers. The police officer took a hold of the white sheet and gave her a serious look. "Please tell me if this person is familiar to you, Yagiyu-san." He pulled it back only just enough for Nasty to see the face of the dead man, no doubt trying to be as gentle as he could for a girl.
Nasty stared down at the face, but said nothing for a moment.
"Yagiyu-San?"
Nasty felt her whole world reel. 'Grandfather. He promised to give me away when I got married. He said he wanted to hold his first grandchild. He always wanted me to help him write that book and I was too busy.'
"Yagiyu-San?"
A soft touch to her elbow startled Nasty back to reality. "Yes. I'm fine. This is my grandfather, Professor Yagiyu. What happened?"
"I'm sorry for your loss, miss. Your grandfather was apparently shot in the back at point blank range in his home, Yagiyu-San. We've had forensic experts all over the crime scene, but we've come up with very little. Do you have any idea who would have done this? Anyone with a motive or a grudge against your grandfather?"
Nasty shook her head. "No. No one who comes to mind, anyway. Does anyone else know about this?"
"No, Yagiyu-San. We thought it best to inform family first."
Nasty nodded, appreciating the consideration. "You said you've found very little at his house. That implies that you did find something."
"Yes, Yagiyu-San. I'm afraid it's still under investigation, but... " He pulled a black glove in a plastic bag out of his pocket and showed it to Nasty. "Did you're grandfather own anything like this?"
"No." Nasty answered promptly. "Grandfather only ever wore white gloves. This... " She looked a little closer. "Is an Alliance issue glove, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Yagiyu-San. That's apart of our investigation and I can't tell you anything at this time." He quickly shoved the glove back into his pocket.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Nasty asked, fixing the image of the black glove in her mind.
He frowned, replacing the white sheet over her grandfather's face, as if he were puzzled by her reaction to all of this. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine. If you don't need me for anything else, I need to go." Nasty began walking away as soon as he'd said he was done. "I'll have all arrangements made for him by tomorrow morning. Please, call me if you need anything else." She walked stiffly out of the morgue, ignoring the stares of the morgue workers who'd begun to pay attention to her after she hadn't broken down in hysterical tears.
"Talk about cold." One of them muttered just before the door swung closed behind Nasty.
In the lonely corridor outside the morgue, Nasty’s step faltered. She paused and leaned one hand against the wall.
She could still feel his arms around her when Treize had been taken away and she’d tried to chase after Grandmother Kushranada’s car. She could hear him singing to her that first night when she could do nothing but cry. She remembered eating popcorn with him during late-night movies.
With a little shake, Nasty stood straight and composed her face.
On the front steps of the police station Nasty stopped short and blinked at the sharp eyed reporters and their camera crews.
"Yagiyu-San! Is it true that your grandfather was murdered?"
"Will this have any impact with the Alliance and how your brother runs it?"
"Are there plans for revenge? How will he find the criminal?"
"How do you feel Yagiyu-San?"
"Does general Kushranada know about the murder, yet?"
Nasty stared fixedly ahead. She stood on the top step of the police station's entrance, and waited very patiently for the questions to stop.
After a long wait, everyone fell silent and waited expectantly, holding their breaths.
One step at a time, Nasty made her way down the steps, knowing full well that no one here would dare to lay hands on her for fear of Treize. As Nasty came down the stairs, the reporters, photographers, and cameramen backed down also, giving her plenty of space. Treize's car was just a head of her. Just a few more feet and she'd be safe.
Dorothy-
‘Beautiful! Simply beautiful!’ Dorothy watched the drama from a short distance down the street. Nasty’s pale face turned ashen when she saw the reporters. 'Treize will kill simply everyone just to make her happy.’
Dorothy was so happy that she’d alerted the reporters about the tragedy. She waved a hand wildly and called out, "Oh, Nasutei!"
Nasty-
Nasty turned, startled at the familiar and unwanted voice. "Hello, Dorothy." Nasty forced a polite smile for her cousin when Dorothy appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her in a tight hug. The hug left Nasty feeling cold.
The reports, who still hovered around, took full advantage of this and started peppering Dorothy with questions.
Dorothy kept one arm around Nasty, but turned to the reporter with a disapproving frown. "You really are horrible! You should all leave her alone so she can grieve." Dorothy hugged Nasty again, but kept her eyes on the reporters. "Nasutei was very close to her grandfather and she's heartbroken, even if she is keeping it all inside. I tell you, once Treize get finds out about this, there's going to be Hell to pay! He'll never take this laying down!"
Instead of pushing away from her least favorite relative, Nasty pulled Dorothy closer. "Why don't you come home with me, Dorothy? I need someone to talk to." She made her voice sound small and vulnerable, knowing that anyone who saw her like this would think it was from sadness and they'd feel pity for her and Treize. Dorothy had done enough damage with her little speech.
Dorothy agreed and they both climbed into Treize's car, leaving the reporters behind without another word.
"I just heard about grandfather Yagiyu. I'm so sorry, you must be just devastated!" Dorothy said, but she didn't look sorry. There wasn't a hint of concern or tears in her eyes.
'You sure want to smile, though, don't you?' Nasty thought bitterly, seeing her cousin's lips twinge out of the corner of her eyes. "Thank you for your concern. I don't understand how you already know, though, or those reporters for that matter. The police said I was the first one they informed."
Dorothy gave her a sly grin. "I have my sources. As for those reporters, I really don't know. I suppose some awful person must have leaked the information. That's bad, you know. Why, if Treize reacts badly, it could hurt his career. But I was wondering where Treize is. I was sure he'd be with you."
"Treize is away at the moment." Nasty frowned. There was something wrong with the whole situation.
"What a shame." Dorothy said. "Well, you can let me out here, Nasutei." She pointed to a street corner. "You're well enough away from those reporters that they won't catch you until you get home and if you're lucky you'll beat them to the gates. I suggest you have extra security installed to keep them out. This is going to be the biggest news in the world for a little while. Unless, Treize does something... interesting, in which case this could be news for a long, long time."
There were no reporters waiting at the house, thankfully.
Nasty left the garage and walked around the house instead of going straight in. She really didn't want to have to answer any of the questions that Mama Fan would have. Nasty went all around the house and through the back garden until she came to her bedroom window. With a bit of effort, Nasty managed to pry open her window and climb into her room.
The first thing she did was pick up her telephone and dial the secure number Treize had given her for the head of the house’s security. “Be on guard. Let no one onto the property without my express permission. No. Treize will stand behind me on this. I’ll assume all responsibility. There could be reporters lurking around. Keep them away from the house. Don’t let our guests outside. It’s not safe.” She licked her dry lips. “My grandfather has been murdered. The police don’t know who the murderer is or where they are. No one gets in. Understand?”
The soldier on the other end of the telephone snapped his understanding and Nasty hung up the telephone. She closed her window and locked it before drawing the shade.
Once she was completely alone and certain that she wouldn’t be interrupted Nasty fell on her bed and began sobbing.
To be continued...