Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Blind Target ❯ Chapter 4
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: WolvenJaganshi 
More people become targets in Langston's twisted game, and he's pulled Kurama in even further.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Police / Hentai / Suspense | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.16.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 226 | Status: Completed
More people become targets in Langston's twisted game, and he's pulled Kurama in even further.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Police / Hentai / Suspense | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.16.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 226 | Status: Completed
Author's note: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SLIGHT SHOUNEN-AI (if you want to call it that, I wouldn't) But is only a plan in the fic, so don't worry about it becoming serious. thanks.
Chappie 4
The redhead groaned as the first beams of sunlight pierced through the canopy of the many trees surrounding his house. He sat up and stared down at the bed sheets, his hand clenching around them tightly as Hiei's words came back to him in a rush. I killed her... I had no choice... The redhead bristled and bit his lip, feeling angry tears prick at his eyes. Ya mean he's using the kid's sister as a threat to make him do what this sick bastard wants? Damn that's cold. Kurama nodded in silent agreement to Densuke's voice in the back of his head. It was cold. Another groan issued from the boy, the annoying high-pitched ring of his cell phone on his nightstand bringing him to full awareness.
"Moshi Moshi."
"Yo Minamino, we got a problem." Just fucking perfect.
"Yes?"
"Our prime source of info is running dry."
"Youko...?" Kurama forced the name, fearing Densuke's response.
"Yeah. Gunshot wound to the chest. Lucky bastard's still breathing. Looks like Langston's not happy his secret got out."
"No, apparently not."
"Well, I'll keep ya posted. He's at the General Hospital, you'll wanna see him and I recommend it. The last thing we need is to lose him and we don't know what undercover jackass might have been tapping the phones or whatever. I don't know Japan's psychos all that well." The line went dead and Kurama clicked off his phone, getting up from bed and dressing into his work uniform yet again and ran a brush through his hair. As he entered the lower level of the house, the rich aroma of coffee drew the redhead into the kitchen. Yukina was seated at the table, looking outside at the birds soaring about, a cup of fresh coffee sitting on the table.
"I thought you might want some before you go..." Kurama smiled and sat down, sipping at the hot beverage. Yukina looked up at him, her soft red eyes looking at Kurama almost apologetically.
"You'll have to forgive Hiei, he really didn't have a choice to kill those women. I didn't want him to but he was... scared to be alone anymore..."
"That's enough!" Hiei's rumbling baritone crackled like a whip as the boy strode into the room, regarding Kurama with an icy glare as he came near his sibling. Yukina reached out a hand and rested it on her brother's muscled arm, giving him a gentle look of several kinds of emotions at once probably meant to make him bend to something. Whatever the connection was meant to be, it obviously worked and Hiei backed off to allow his sister the limelight.
"He didn't want to kill those women... but that evil man Gaven made him. If he didn't kill them...then...he would do many horrible things to me... And he would even if Hiei obeyed every command. Hiei's my only family left and we love each other very much...I'm glad we're safe from them... At least for now."
"Densuke and I are doing what we can, Yukina. We have forces overseas scrambling to get us any information that might be helpful and we have some traces to follow. The sketch you provided us has truly assisted the case. I have to go see someone now, it's just about time for my shift. Take care now, and thank you for the coffee." Kurama stood and headed towards the door, looking out at the autumn landscape through a nearby window and tossing on a jacket. Climbing in his car, the redhead made his way to the hospital.
He's on his way to the bandit. Bastard. He was lucky he even made it through the night. Langston swore, he was letting himself slip and accidents like the bandit's survival only endangered his chances for success and survival in the kill-or-be-killed world of assassination. He couldn't allow himself to flunk this next chance, it may be the only time he would have to finally silence the bandit. And that cop. Yes, the redheaded officer seemed to have quite a few ties to the bandit. And that Tokyo beauty, Shiori. Langston felt a shiver run up his back, remembering the fight she gave him and how much more satisfying it had been to kill the bitch. Langston smiled, the redhead was fairly distraught by her death. Pulling out his cell, he began to dial.
Kurama had just reached the doors to the hospital when his cell when off. The redhead took it out and answered, hoping it might have been Densuke with more on Gaven.
"Moshi Moshi Minamino..." Kurama froze, this voice wasn't Densuke, far from his foreign edge and usual arrogance. This voice was more calm and collected and it gave Kurama an ill feeling just listening.
"Who are you?"
"My, how rude we are. I thought that beauty might have raised a milder mannered boy." Kurama felt a strong apprehension come over him as he listened to the man on the other end laugh.
"She was so pretty...so beautiful and put up quite a fight... I don't get many challenges but she was one of the few..."
"Shut up!" Kurama spat. He was enjoying this and the redhead knew it, he heard the anger in Kurama's normally controlled voice and it was giving him a hell of a jolt.
"Feisty. Just like she was... Better warn your little bandit friend to be on his guard, this won't be our last encounter, but I can't guarantee that next time won't be. I know you want me dead, I can hear it in your voice, can see it in your gestures when I'm the topic of discussion between you and that American. He's perfect also... Who knows what blood I'll be washed in next..." Kurama felt himself shaking in revulsion. He heard Langston laugh as the line went dead. Damn it!!! He'd given that sick bastard the power trip he wanted. He'd heard plenty of horror stories about being face to face with a psychopath from veterans in the force but all the tales could never have prepared him for actually hearing the sickly triumphant voice speaking right with him. Climbing from his car, Kurama hurried inside and up to Youko's room after signing in.
Damn Langston... Kurama pulled a chair over to the bandit's bedside and sat down, letting out a long breath and running a hand through his long red mane. He had hoped to arrive in Youko's room composed but the bandit saw right through any guise he tried to use to cover up his fear.
"Talk to me."
"Langston... How'd he get hold of me?"
"Hell, you'd be surprised Kurama, believe me."
"He told me about how she fought him... How beautiful she was as if he knew everything about her..." Youko placed a hand on the bristling boy's shoulder, his gaze narrowing.
"I realize you're young yet but you need to stop giving in. Showing your fear is only going to make the bastard more egotistical and make him think you're powerless against him. I'm sure you don't want to allow him the pleasure of your pain." Kurama shook his head and Youko's grip tightened on his shoulder.
"Then dammit stop your pouting."
"Hai." Kurama wanted to go along with the thief's advice but Langston had left him so damn shaken he could barely think of anything except the maliciously triumphant voice so proud for killing all those and plotting Densuke and Youko's demises.
"He's coming after you."
"I know." Yet he was so calm dammit. Kurama sighed, removing the bandit's hand from his shoulder. He needed to learn to fight the feeling of fear, face him and piss him off. Show Langston he wasn't affecting him. The bandit nodded, sitting up on one arm and smirking at the boy. "He's none to happy I told the blue about him." Kurama shook his head, looking sternly up at Youko.
"You need to find a new hideout..."
"Kurama, leave me alone, I'll handle Langston. It doesn't matter if he's after me, I've been a target of quite a few over the years but I proved more elusive than they thought. And from what I've heard of the Western blue, it's no wonder he was able to cross boundary." Kurama frowned, that was not a comforting thought when he knew Taki was doing everything he could from the desk of an American precinct.
"Your captain needs a good kick in the ass. We're not doing enough locally to catch the bastard." Kurama's lips bent in a half smirk. Another downside of working in his assigned precinct was working under Captain Yomi and his constant criticism of the force. Kurama stood and said his goodbyes, turning on his phone as soon as he exited the hospital doors, anticipating yet skittish of Langston's next call. Climbing into his car, Kurama turned over the engine and leaned back, running a hand through his hair. He needed to unwind. Grabbing his phone he dialed Densuke, the younger Miyahara answering in a stream of English.
"Moshi Moshi Densuke-san."
"Oh, Gomen K'rama. What's the word?"
"Youko's fine... You busy tonight?"
"Not really, just sitting with my hand on my ass before we can make a move to go after Langston."
"Meet me at the bar on the corner of the precinct block tonight at 8. You'll get more details then."
"O.K. Will do."
"Langston! W-What are you d-doing here?!" Mizuko stuttered, allowing the assassin entry. The blonde didn't answer, glaring at her angrily. The frail woman seemed to shrink under his powerful gaze, trembling violently and she ran towards her office, his strong hand fastening upon her arm. Mizuko shrieked as he threw her to the ground, her dark eyes wide with fright. A single shot and Mizuko's trembling ceased, her blood staining the carpet. Langston turned as the door opened behind him, a young girl disappearing from the doorway as she laid eyes on Mizuko's bloody corpse and the cold steel of Langston's pistol. His lips curled into a tight line, stepping out into the dormitories of the orphanage. Children stared at him with wide eyes, most cowering back away from him. Langston cried out as a boy came out from behind him, digging a knife deep into his arm, a younger girl diving for his leg. Throwing off the two children, Langston put two more bullets in either of the heads, the children in the dorms screaming and backing away.
"Let's see them trace this..."
"He called you?" Densuke asked as Kurama finished telling the blonde of that afternoon's encounter as they stood in the parking lot.
"Yes... And I’m almost certain he'll do it again. He enjoyed seeing my pain..."
"Dammit. Maybe we could put a tap on your phone?"
"If he's smart, it won't do any good." Densuke swore but knew Kurama was right. All he had to do was use a pay phone and Tokyo was a big city. Even if they did find the phone he had dialed from, so many other people use the damn things any prints would be wiped away and he'd have plenty of time to skip to another area of town before anyone could do anything about him. The situation was frustrating enough without Langston unnerving one of the best cops Densuke knew. The two cops entered the bar and fought their way through the loud, obnoxious crowd over to the bar. Kurama held his tightly in hands, the blaring music giving him one hell of a headache. The two ordered their drinks and Kurama sat silent, his eyes far away, weary head in one hand using an elbow on the bar to support him.
"Why don't you go home K'rama? You look like someone's run you to death. Besides, you need to check on the twins. With Langston on the prowl I don't think it's a smart idea to leave them unattended for such long periods of time. Maybe you could get more out of them." Kurama sat quiet and continued to sip the strong alcohol, already feeling his brain numbing. Densuke snatched the glass away and narrowed his eyes on Kurama.
"Dammit, Kurama, knock it off!" He screamed, many patrons turning to look at the infuriated foreigner. Kurama simply looked away. Even in his on-the-verge of drunken state he understood what Densuke's outburst of English-which was common when he was pissed-meant. Rising from the bar, the redhead fought his way through the obnoxious crowds milling about and sought the shelter of the cool night breezes, perspiration running down his face from the heat of the bar. Once outside, he slumped down the wall near his car and let the night air cool him down, burying his face in his hands as the headache came shooting back, twice as painfully as before. Densuke took one of his hands and shoved two pills into it, handing him a bottle of water. Kurama gratefully accepted the medicine and looked away from the American, not wanting to face the anger and shame in the bright eyes he knew was there.
"Why the hell you acting so fucking stupid?! Getting yourself slammed ain't gonna help the situation!" Densuke could feel his anger rising but he smothered his boiling blood and sighed heavily. Looking at him, Densuke spoke again, softer and more concerned.
"You're scared dammit. I know you are. It's no picnic having a serial killer knowing your every move. It's unnerving as hell and I know. That shit was common back in New York. You'd swear that's where all the experienced crazies hung out. You HAVE to calm down or we'll never put Langston behind bars. Don't you wanna imprison him for what he did to Shiori?"
WHAM!
"What the fuck Minamino?!" Densuke demanded picking himself up off the ground holding his, now bleeding, nose.
"Shut up..." He was trembling, fiercely, "You have no fucking idea Densuke... No idea..."
"Hey, what's with the hostility!? God dammit GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" Densuke snarled, grabbing Kurama's arm as the boy tried to run. He looked over his shoulder, glaring at Densuke viciously but the hand just held tight. Ignoring the blood streaming from his nose, Densuke wrestled the distraught boy to the ground, straddling him and glaring ferociously down at him. Kurama fought him for a few moments more before laying still his chest heaving with quiet sobs. Densuke placed a hand on his cheek, forcing the redhead to look up into his pale face. Emerald orbs gleamed with tears and Densuke knew stress and grief had finally taken their toll driven harder by the alcohol. Kurama closed his eyes and Densuke got up off him, aiding the boy to his feet. Overseas, Densuke had seen many cops fall to the stress put on them by the daily routine of saving somebody's life and tracking down men like Gaven and Langston.
"Kurama, go home and get some rest. You look like you need it and if Langston calls ignore him." Densuke looked into his eyes and asked firmly, “Understood?" The redhead stayed quiet a bit longer before nodding his understanding.
"Good, now get in the car, I'll drive you home. You're in no shape. I'll call one of my other pals in the precinct to drop off your ride tomorrow morning alright?" Again, Kurama nodded as he climbed in Densuke's car. He looked over to the blonde at the wheel and whispered a small thanks, feeling his headache finally going away and fatigue taking control. Densuke nodded and soon arrived at the boy's house, Kurama climbing out wearily and going into his house, locking the door and staggering up the stairs into his room, falling asleep as soon as he lay down.
The headache was twice as severe in the morning when the redhead finally woke to the opening of the door. Lifting his throbbing head, the boy looked over and saw Hiei come into the room, his stoic expression appearing forced as he tossed Kurama's cell onto the bed and quickly took his leave. Kurama picked up the phone, too hung-over to recognize the voice at once.
"I'm really getting under your skin, boy. I never thought I could push you to such an extreme..."
"What do you want?" he demanded, his grip tightening on the phone. There was silence on the other end before he heard Langston's dark chuckle.
"Does it matter? We all die eventually, some just die earlier than others. I'm just here to help fate along..." Kurama bit his lip as Langston laughed cruelly at him again and he forced himself to calm down. Do just as Youko said, get under his skin, unnerve him, piss him off.
"That is true..." A shocked silence on the other end and now it was Kurama's turn to chuckle, "You're right... just remember that."
"A turn of events? You don't even know where to begin looking, boy. No use trying to scare me, I've gotten this for years. It starts as fear then slowly turns into anger then into a solemn determination and obsession to bring those threats alive... You're just a pretty little bug caught in the web I'm slowly spinning. And I can assure you, your time will come. Maybe I'll go easy on you..." The line went dead and Kurama hung up, letting Langston's words take their toll on his mind, bitterly imagining what torture could be embedded in those words so he could hurry and get on trying to catch the son of a bitch without the threats plaguing his conscience. Letting out a deep breath, the boy went into the bathroom to take a quick shower before dressing and coming downstairs to the twins. Hiei was oddly reclusive, even for him and Yukina seemed a little alarmed as the redhead came downstairs.
"It was him... The man who..who hurt me.. and made brother kill those women..."
"I know... It's alright." Kurama said kneeling next to the trembling girl and gently stroking her hair.
"No, it isn't alright, Kurama. You've never seen what he'd done! He doesn't care who he hurts! He's.... He's a monster!" Yukina shouted, tears sparkling in her eyes. At the sound of Yukina's sniffle, Hiei jumped to alert and glared viciously at Kurama, grabbing his sister and gently guiding her away from the redhead. Yukina said nothing, Hiei shielding her and Kurama got to his feet, staring down into the burning crimson eyes.
"I wasn't trying to hurt her."
"Hn. Stay away from her or I'll do Langston a favor." Kurama simply turned and strode away, Hiei kneeling by his sister only to be met by solemn eyes.
"Hiei... Kurama-san didn't mean any harm. It was scary to think about him again. Please, Hiei-chan, give him a chance?" She placed a hand on Hiei's arm and looked pleadingly up at him, the black haired boy eventually nodded and ran a hand through her sky blue hair. Yukina stood up and walked over to the window, peering out into the secluded drive, the afternoon sun was high overhead and Yukina smiled as a flock of tiny birds blew across the clear blue sky. It was a beautiful day and Hiei felt guilty having to keep Yukina inside the house but he wasn't willing to risk his sister's life again. No, not again. The young girl knew this and stayed quiet although her soft eyes betrayed her longing for the outdoors once again.
"Hiei, she can go outside, the woods conceal any view of the house." Kurama stated, looking at the boy who then looked at his sibling and nodded reluctantly, Yukina's eyes brightening and the twins went outside, Kurama was looking over all the reports when his digital phone rang again. Langston? No, not likely. He'd gotten his power trip from the last call. Answering it, the redhead heard the sounds of fire engines in the distance and the roaring crackle of flames.
"Mizuko's orphanage, its gone Kurama." It was Taki, talking loudly over the chaos behind him as the firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, "The police are guessing arson with the intensity of the flames and they have search dogs all over the place but no luck so far. The bastard's fast and he's getting bold. First a single victim then a string, headed overseas and sets entire buildings ablaze. This one's twisted." Kurama remained silent. All those children, all those lives, gone.
"Survivors?"
"You're kidding right?" Taki replied sardonically, "The fighters have to wait for the blaze to calm before they can do anything. It's a hell of a sight Minamino." He could imagine, the entire building engulfed in fire, the horrid stench of burning human flesh. He felt his stomach churn with the thought. What was this bastard after? What kick did he get out of ruthless, meaningless killing?
"Where's Densuke?"
"Bro's off taking care of your bandit friend, he was released from the hospital this morning. Fast recovery."
"Yes, infamous."
"I see. I suppose you'll report this to my brother later on?"
"Hai."
"Sayonara Minamino." Taki hung up and Kurama leaned back in his chair, quickly dialing Densuke's number. He picked up on the third ring.
"What's up?"
"The orphanage is gone, arson." Densuke gave a low whistle.
"Man he's sick, setting fire to a buncha homeless kids." Yes, he was, Kurama agreed. He'd been thinking that ever since he got involved in the case. Kidnapping, arson, murder, rape, Langston had quite a list of crimes already and Kurama didn't want to think of the ones he had committed back on American soil. Densuke informed him Youko was well and with his second-in-command of the troupe at a hideaway where he could finish healing in peace outside the city. Kurama nodded to himself, it seemed wise to get Youko out of Tokyo for the time being. The two cops were just about to let each other go when Kurama heard Densuke slam on his brakes over the phone and the American boy swore colorfully in English.
"He got another one... Red hair... Green eyes... Her name's... lessee, Sakura Furukawa, high school student."
"Which school?"
"Err.. Looks like Meiou." Kurama felt his heart chill over. Something wasn't right, everything was too coincidental. He had gone to Meiou High School before he'd graduated and took up law enforcement and it made him wonder just how much Langston knew about him.
"Minamino? You alright?"
"Yes, fine."
"I'll call this one in and see ya later at the precinct okay? He's on the loose so if you got the twins outside I'd get them in. You never know where he'll strike next although he can't be very far from here, the blood's still fresh and the body hasn't even gone into Rigor Mortis." Kurama shuddered, the news was almost disturbing and as suggested he went to fetch the twins from the yard. Yukina seemed almost disappointed to have to come in so soon but she understood that anything Kurama or Hiei said would help protect them-even if only for a time-from Langston. Kurama fixed the two some lunch and instructed them to stay inside as he threw on a coat and locked the door to the house. Climbing into his car, the redhead headed for the precinct.
He was shaken. Run little bird, run, run while you still can just like the little chicks nestled so safe in your nest. Langston laughed, those children weren't safe, he could easily deal away with the redhead and the two children if he willed. But let them think they were safe, a chase was always more fun and he had left both the blond and the redhead scrambling to keep up. She was a pretty girl, so like him. Long flowing red hair and pretty green eyes but they didn't compare to him. His coolness was nothing more than a cover easily broken through. he knew exactly how to shake the boy and he would.
"Langston, I thought I hired you to deal away with him."
"I deal with who I want Gaven. You pay me, you don't control me." The older man glared down at the assassin.
"You'll damn well do what I tell you or you can look for a serious cut in your income...Bullet." The blonde chuckled. Money didn't matter anymore. No, it didn't. He wanted the redhead, so captivating and wild, just like his mother. Shiori had been pretty too and had put up a hell of a fight and Langston only looked forward to the day he would encounter Kurama. Kurama, a wild name for the wild heart beating in the boy's chest. It fit him well.
"This is no game dammit." Gaven snapped, Langston looking back at him with an angry glare.
"You know how many vital points there are on the human body? So many... And do you know how horrible it is to bleed to death? How long you have to wait as your heart slowly stops beating, you're gasping for air, going limp and only wanting death to take you? Do you, Gaven?" Langston smiled sadistically, pulling a knife from his belt, still covered in the blood of the Furukawa girl. Gaven backed away, his eyes wide with terror as the assassin raised the knife and brought the tip to tease his throat.
"Y-You wouldn't..."
"Oh, wouldn't I? And just what makes you think you're different from the rest of those I've dealt away with? I've killed slobs, children, well-to-do, and rich men like you among many others. What makes you think that you are any different?" Langston growled, advancing on him, the man's grip tight on Gaven's throat. Gaven flailed and Langston clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"I think I'm going to like this very much... I'm coming, my romantic soldier."
Sakura's corpse looked like something out a horror movie. Her wrists were sliced, probably from being bound by wire, there was a gouge from one ear under her chin to the other and her eyes had been gouged out. There was bruising all along her hips and her legs and arms were slashed, glittering fragments of glass making themselves known. Kurama's expression held stoic, his stomach churning as he looked at her corpse laying on the bed in the morgue. Yomiji came over to the table, fixing his lopsided spectacles leaning precariously on the bridge of his nose. It was hard to believe someone who looked so child-like could ever belong in a morgue but Yomiji was well known for his work as a medical examiner and had yet to fail the precinct.
"I've just finished the autopsy, I'll have a rape kit to you tomorrow. Cause of death: blunt force trauma to the back of the head probably with something like a baseball bat. Her wrists were probably the work of wires or fishing line. Kind of a double death, she bled out too from all the cuts and gouges. She might have been something to look at before your killer got her." Densuke walked over to stand by Kurama, looking down at Sakura's face.
"Damn... I thought I wouldn't have to worry about seeing this again. Suppose I should get used to it, it's a cop's life. We're the blue, coming to save those who need it yet so many die out there or face what those twins or Sakura has. We can try as hard as we want but someone out there is some bastard's next victim and there's nothing that can be done. We just do what we can." Yomiji looked at Densuke with his playful dark eyes and smiled.
"You're the only one that seems to care about the victim. I don't hear many make such connections, Detective Miyahara."
"Just Densuke, alright? Let's just say, this life is personal to me. I lost something very dear to me when I was 18. Taki had just been granted the option of being captain after some crazy we just locked away shot the captain at the jury trial as well as the judge and he jumped at the chance. He figured he could help me out from a higher-up position. It was after that trial that we found out our mom had been murdered. Since then, yeah, I've taken my job seriously." Yomiji patted the two officers on the shoulders, the two smiling down at him. Yomiji brought some kind of light into the dismal job and the morbid business of the morgue. Fumbling in his pocket, Yomiji withdrew a small tube with a piece of cloth stained dark with blood and he dropped it into Kurama's hand. The redhead looked curiously at him and the boy smiled.
"I need that sent to Mika at the DNA lab if you wouldn't mind. Forensics was thinking it might be Langston's blood on that cloth if we got lucky." Densuke and Kurama nodded, bading farewell to Yomiji and heading down another hall, delivering the vial as promised. Mika took the vial and informed them it would be at least a week before she could get the results and the two officers’ only hope was shot. She was overloaded with work as is and now to shove this on her, they almost felt guilty. As the two went for some coffee at the diner, Densuke inquired what was wrong. He hadn't noticed how silent Kurama had been until they had left the morgue. He shook his head, Densuke shrugging. He'd come clean eventually. The two sat quietly over their mugs of steaming coffee when Kurama's cell went off.
"How did you like my display? I always did like sitting around the fire and sharing ghost stories. Especially with that pretty girl, Sakura. Wasn't she so captivating Minamino? Just like you, my romantic soldier." Kurama stiffened, red hair, green eyes, why hadn't he listened to his instinct instead of blowing it off as a mere coincidence.
"What do you want?"
"You, little soldier of love. She was also a Meiou honor student, just like you. And so pretty too." Langston's voice was low, almost seducing over the phone and Kurama felt his heart begin to race with anxiety. It was him the bastard wanted and he was determined to shake Kurama so badly he'd give in. That wasn't going to happen.
"Yes, she was pretty. Quite the work of art. But truly, a well-rounded killer like you is wasting his time right? It'd be a shame to lose me to...some other man." Kurama replied smoothly.
"Don't think that's going to happen, my soldier. You'll be mine fairly soon. I can see you now as we speak, long red mane, those deep eyes... And soon you'll be mine, your wild heart and slender little body will be mine." Langston's voice was a low purr as he finished the sentence and the line went dead. Kurama turned off his phone and thrust into his shirt pocket, looking up at Densuke.
"We need to draw him out. He wants me and he's determined to get his reward."
"And so you're planning to use me to think Langston is losing you so he'll come out into the open?"
"Precisely." Damn him, Densuke grumbled mentally. Taki'd never let him live it down but he'd do what was needed to catch him and right now he didn't have any other bright ideas.
"Well I see you boys have been working hard." Densuke grumbled to himself as Yomi strode up to them, a small smirk on his face. Kurama simply nodded, knowing Densuke's hostility towards their captain. Of all the officers on the force, Densuke seemed to be the one to get the blunt end of most of his jokes and it made the American's hot blood boil over.
"Have you pinpointed his location yet?"
"No, not yet. All we know is he's after me." Yomi raised an eyebrow, leaning against the side of Densuke's booth, the blonde glaring at him.
"After you? What do you have that he wants?"
"That I don't know, he's been killing off women who have the same traits as me so he's getting his message across." Kurama replied coolly although his eyes betrayed the anxiety gripping his heart. Yomi looked down at the two and then outside where Kurama was so intently glancing at and saw the dark shadow inside of a vehicle across the road from the diner.
"I see. Well, good luck to you. I'll do what I can but it's mostly up to you. I could set you extra protection if you desire." Kurama shook his head, he wasn't to give Langston the satisfaction of any kind of sign of weakness. The captain took his leave and Densuke also took to looking out the window, watching the car cruise easily down the street with the rest of the traffic. The American came over and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, his bright blue eyes full of reassurance on his expressionless face.
"Shall we go? I doubt he's left..." Kurama said, rising to his feet and looking firmly at Densuke.
"Hai, my sweet." Densuke replied, unable to contain the playful smile on his lips. Leaving the diner, Densuke placed his hand on Kurama's hip, the redhead's hand going to gently brush Densuke's and he smiled. Are you watching, bastard? Can you see me? The younger Miyahara helped Kurama into the car before climbing in himself, flashing the boy a smile before turning over the engine and heading off into the well-lit streets of downtown Tokyo.
They arrived at Kurama's house later that night, the boy going over to Densuke's window and glancing around before bending down to smile at the blonde. Densuke smiled right back, wrapping his arms around the fox as if pretending to ensnare him in a kiss, the back of Kurama's neck prickling as he slipped his arms around the American's neck, feeling eyes boring into him and he smirked in triumph. Backing away, the fox smiled gently and waved his goodbye before heading into the apartment, Densuke cruising away. It had worked and the redhead was sure he had infuriated Langston to the point of no return.
This was confirmed later that night. Kurama crossed the hall just as the twins settled into bed and threw off his work uniform, climbing into bed and tucking the sheets around his slender form when his digital phone went off. Grabbing it, the boy clicked it on and was greeted by the snarl of an angered Langston.
"Bastard, whore..."
"I told you... I am not yours, Langston."
"Maybe not for now but soon you will be and you'll regret it boy. You can only hide for so long and I will have your blood just like I did those other bitches. I know my threats do nothing to you but just wait little whore, I will have you." Both men hung up and Kurama settled back in bed, staring out at the moon as he sat up. Tossing a robe on to cover his bare chest, the boy padded over to the window and looked out across the treetops of the forest surrounding his house at the luminous city of Tokyo. Kurama looked back over his shoulder at his cell as it began ringing again and he wondered if he should even answer it, not really in the mood to deal with Langston again but something inside told him this was not the case.
"Moshi Moshi Detective Minamno. Sure hope I didn't wake you but I just got word, " Yomiji told him, "they're going to release Shiori's body for burial tomorrow. Thought you'd wanna be ready for the wake, hai?"
"Arigato, Yomiji. Sayonara."
"Sayonara." Clicking off his phone, Kurama felt a faint trace of sorrow catch him but he forced it back, knowing he couldn't grieve any longer. This wasn't the time, by any means. The top priority was Langston, and it would stay that way until the bastard was incarcerated or dead. Kurama bitterly wished for the latter. He sighed as he stripped his robe and climbed back into bed, closing his eyes and waiting for sleep to come.
A scream from the guest room brought Kurama to full alert, his heart racing as he fumbled for his pistol and bolting across the hall into the room where the twins slept.
"You look beautiful, my soldier..." Kurama felt his legs try to freeze, his heart pounding in his chest as he held the gun towards the colleted Langston, his powerful arm across Yukina's waist. Hiei was on his knees across the room, blood steadily pouring from a deep laceration on his abdomen as he tried to stanch it and get to his feet. Everything was blurry as the older Uramatsu twin rose to his feet, his head felt light and the blood continued to flow though slower. Kurama stepped closer, cocking his weapon and taking careful aim, tired of being plagued by him and ready to end this wild goose chase.
"I will see you soon if I assume correctly, my soldier? You look so pretty standing there, taut and ready for me... I know you want to fire but you don't want the girl harmed. So easy to control. Here I take my leave and may I say you have 3 days before she becomes yet another of the highlights on the 6 o'clock news." Langston was gone and Kurama swore, scaling the bed and landing by the window, firing at the man's leg. He fumbled but kept running, persistent son of a bitch. He couldn't get far like that, a bullet in the back of his knee. A thud brought Kurama's attention over to Hiei who had just collapsed from blood loss on the other side of the room, the temporary bandage he had managed to make from his shirt quickly becoming soaked in blood. Picking up the boy, Kurama hurried downstairs and into his car, hurrying off to the hospital. Langston had gotten just what he wanted, a distraction. Damn him, damn him damn him damn him!
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Finally! Chapter 4 has come to an end and I think this is my longest chapter so far, an accomplishment! Chapter 5 will probably be the final installment. I've been trying to end this so as to not drag it out but at the same time take the time to write a fic people are going to like. I don't know if people are going to smack a shounen-ai label on this one with Langston's obsession with Kurama and I'm trying to figure out a way to write it so it isn't. It won't be happy shounen-ai, trust me, it won't be. I thank my friend Amy-chan for being my beta and my other friends for their constant encouragement! I feel loved you guys!
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Chappie 4
The redhead groaned as the first beams of sunlight pierced through the canopy of the many trees surrounding his house. He sat up and stared down at the bed sheets, his hand clenching around them tightly as Hiei's words came back to him in a rush. I killed her... I had no choice... The redhead bristled and bit his lip, feeling angry tears prick at his eyes. Ya mean he's using the kid's sister as a threat to make him do what this sick bastard wants? Damn that's cold. Kurama nodded in silent agreement to Densuke's voice in the back of his head. It was cold. Another groan issued from the boy, the annoying high-pitched ring of his cell phone on his nightstand bringing him to full awareness.
"Moshi Moshi."
"Yo Minamino, we got a problem." Just fucking perfect.
"Yes?"
"Our prime source of info is running dry."
"Youko...?" Kurama forced the name, fearing Densuke's response.
"Yeah. Gunshot wound to the chest. Lucky bastard's still breathing. Looks like Langston's not happy his secret got out."
"No, apparently not."
"Well, I'll keep ya posted. He's at the General Hospital, you'll wanna see him and I recommend it. The last thing we need is to lose him and we don't know what undercover jackass might have been tapping the phones or whatever. I don't know Japan's psychos all that well." The line went dead and Kurama clicked off his phone, getting up from bed and dressing into his work uniform yet again and ran a brush through his hair. As he entered the lower level of the house, the rich aroma of coffee drew the redhead into the kitchen. Yukina was seated at the table, looking outside at the birds soaring about, a cup of fresh coffee sitting on the table.
"I thought you might want some before you go..." Kurama smiled and sat down, sipping at the hot beverage. Yukina looked up at him, her soft red eyes looking at Kurama almost apologetically.
"You'll have to forgive Hiei, he really didn't have a choice to kill those women. I didn't want him to but he was... scared to be alone anymore..."
"That's enough!" Hiei's rumbling baritone crackled like a whip as the boy strode into the room, regarding Kurama with an icy glare as he came near his sibling. Yukina reached out a hand and rested it on her brother's muscled arm, giving him a gentle look of several kinds of emotions at once probably meant to make him bend to something. Whatever the connection was meant to be, it obviously worked and Hiei backed off to allow his sister the limelight.
"He didn't want to kill those women... but that evil man Gaven made him. If he didn't kill them...then...he would do many horrible things to me... And he would even if Hiei obeyed every command. Hiei's my only family left and we love each other very much...I'm glad we're safe from them... At least for now."
"Densuke and I are doing what we can, Yukina. We have forces overseas scrambling to get us any information that might be helpful and we have some traces to follow. The sketch you provided us has truly assisted the case. I have to go see someone now, it's just about time for my shift. Take care now, and thank you for the coffee." Kurama stood and headed towards the door, looking out at the autumn landscape through a nearby window and tossing on a jacket. Climbing in his car, the redhead made his way to the hospital.
He's on his way to the bandit. Bastard. He was lucky he even made it through the night. Langston swore, he was letting himself slip and accidents like the bandit's survival only endangered his chances for success and survival in the kill-or-be-killed world of assassination. He couldn't allow himself to flunk this next chance, it may be the only time he would have to finally silence the bandit. And that cop. Yes, the redheaded officer seemed to have quite a few ties to the bandit. And that Tokyo beauty, Shiori. Langston felt a shiver run up his back, remembering the fight she gave him and how much more satisfying it had been to kill the bitch. Langston smiled, the redhead was fairly distraught by her death. Pulling out his cell, he began to dial.
Kurama had just reached the doors to the hospital when his cell when off. The redhead took it out and answered, hoping it might have been Densuke with more on Gaven.
"Moshi Moshi Minamino..." Kurama froze, this voice wasn't Densuke, far from his foreign edge and usual arrogance. This voice was more calm and collected and it gave Kurama an ill feeling just listening.
"Who are you?"
"My, how rude we are. I thought that beauty might have raised a milder mannered boy." Kurama felt a strong apprehension come over him as he listened to the man on the other end laugh.
"She was so pretty...so beautiful and put up quite a fight... I don't get many challenges but she was one of the few..."
"Shut up!" Kurama spat. He was enjoying this and the redhead knew it, he heard the anger in Kurama's normally controlled voice and it was giving him a hell of a jolt.
"Feisty. Just like she was... Better warn your little bandit friend to be on his guard, this won't be our last encounter, but I can't guarantee that next time won't be. I know you want me dead, I can hear it in your voice, can see it in your gestures when I'm the topic of discussion between you and that American. He's perfect also... Who knows what blood I'll be washed in next..." Kurama felt himself shaking in revulsion. He heard Langston laugh as the line went dead. Damn it!!! He'd given that sick bastard the power trip he wanted. He'd heard plenty of horror stories about being face to face with a psychopath from veterans in the force but all the tales could never have prepared him for actually hearing the sickly triumphant voice speaking right with him. Climbing from his car, Kurama hurried inside and up to Youko's room after signing in.
Damn Langston... Kurama pulled a chair over to the bandit's bedside and sat down, letting out a long breath and running a hand through his long red mane. He had hoped to arrive in Youko's room composed but the bandit saw right through any guise he tried to use to cover up his fear.
"Talk to me."
"Langston... How'd he get hold of me?"
"Hell, you'd be surprised Kurama, believe me."
"He told me about how she fought him... How beautiful she was as if he knew everything about her..." Youko placed a hand on the bristling boy's shoulder, his gaze narrowing.
"I realize you're young yet but you need to stop giving in. Showing your fear is only going to make the bastard more egotistical and make him think you're powerless against him. I'm sure you don't want to allow him the pleasure of your pain." Kurama shook his head and Youko's grip tightened on his shoulder.
"Then dammit stop your pouting."
"Hai." Kurama wanted to go along with the thief's advice but Langston had left him so damn shaken he could barely think of anything except the maliciously triumphant voice so proud for killing all those and plotting Densuke and Youko's demises.
"He's coming after you."
"I know." Yet he was so calm dammit. Kurama sighed, removing the bandit's hand from his shoulder. He needed to learn to fight the feeling of fear, face him and piss him off. Show Langston he wasn't affecting him. The bandit nodded, sitting up on one arm and smirking at the boy. "He's none to happy I told the blue about him." Kurama shook his head, looking sternly up at Youko.
"You need to find a new hideout..."
"Kurama, leave me alone, I'll handle Langston. It doesn't matter if he's after me, I've been a target of quite a few over the years but I proved more elusive than they thought. And from what I've heard of the Western blue, it's no wonder he was able to cross boundary." Kurama frowned, that was not a comforting thought when he knew Taki was doing everything he could from the desk of an American precinct.
"Your captain needs a good kick in the ass. We're not doing enough locally to catch the bastard." Kurama's lips bent in a half smirk. Another downside of working in his assigned precinct was working under Captain Yomi and his constant criticism of the force. Kurama stood and said his goodbyes, turning on his phone as soon as he exited the hospital doors, anticipating yet skittish of Langston's next call. Climbing into his car, Kurama turned over the engine and leaned back, running a hand through his hair. He needed to unwind. Grabbing his phone he dialed Densuke, the younger Miyahara answering in a stream of English.
"Moshi Moshi Densuke-san."
"Oh, Gomen K'rama. What's the word?"
"Youko's fine... You busy tonight?"
"Not really, just sitting with my hand on my ass before we can make a move to go after Langston."
"Meet me at the bar on the corner of the precinct block tonight at 8. You'll get more details then."
"O.K. Will do."
"Langston! W-What are you d-doing here?!" Mizuko stuttered, allowing the assassin entry. The blonde didn't answer, glaring at her angrily. The frail woman seemed to shrink under his powerful gaze, trembling violently and she ran towards her office, his strong hand fastening upon her arm. Mizuko shrieked as he threw her to the ground, her dark eyes wide with fright. A single shot and Mizuko's trembling ceased, her blood staining the carpet. Langston turned as the door opened behind him, a young girl disappearing from the doorway as she laid eyes on Mizuko's bloody corpse and the cold steel of Langston's pistol. His lips curled into a tight line, stepping out into the dormitories of the orphanage. Children stared at him with wide eyes, most cowering back away from him. Langston cried out as a boy came out from behind him, digging a knife deep into his arm, a younger girl diving for his leg. Throwing off the two children, Langston put two more bullets in either of the heads, the children in the dorms screaming and backing away.
"Let's see them trace this..."
"He called you?" Densuke asked as Kurama finished telling the blonde of that afternoon's encounter as they stood in the parking lot.
"Yes... And I’m almost certain he'll do it again. He enjoyed seeing my pain..."
"Dammit. Maybe we could put a tap on your phone?"
"If he's smart, it won't do any good." Densuke swore but knew Kurama was right. All he had to do was use a pay phone and Tokyo was a big city. Even if they did find the phone he had dialed from, so many other people use the damn things any prints would be wiped away and he'd have plenty of time to skip to another area of town before anyone could do anything about him. The situation was frustrating enough without Langston unnerving one of the best cops Densuke knew. The two cops entered the bar and fought their way through the loud, obnoxious crowd over to the bar. Kurama held his tightly in hands, the blaring music giving him one hell of a headache. The two ordered their drinks and Kurama sat silent, his eyes far away, weary head in one hand using an elbow on the bar to support him.
"Why don't you go home K'rama? You look like someone's run you to death. Besides, you need to check on the twins. With Langston on the prowl I don't think it's a smart idea to leave them unattended for such long periods of time. Maybe you could get more out of them." Kurama sat quiet and continued to sip the strong alcohol, already feeling his brain numbing. Densuke snatched the glass away and narrowed his eyes on Kurama.
"Dammit, Kurama, knock it off!" He screamed, many patrons turning to look at the infuriated foreigner. Kurama simply looked away. Even in his on-the-verge of drunken state he understood what Densuke's outburst of English-which was common when he was pissed-meant. Rising from the bar, the redhead fought his way through the obnoxious crowds milling about and sought the shelter of the cool night breezes, perspiration running down his face from the heat of the bar. Once outside, he slumped down the wall near his car and let the night air cool him down, burying his face in his hands as the headache came shooting back, twice as painfully as before. Densuke took one of his hands and shoved two pills into it, handing him a bottle of water. Kurama gratefully accepted the medicine and looked away from the American, not wanting to face the anger and shame in the bright eyes he knew was there.
"Why the hell you acting so fucking stupid?! Getting yourself slammed ain't gonna help the situation!" Densuke could feel his anger rising but he smothered his boiling blood and sighed heavily. Looking at him, Densuke spoke again, softer and more concerned.
"You're scared dammit. I know you are. It's no picnic having a serial killer knowing your every move. It's unnerving as hell and I know. That shit was common back in New York. You'd swear that's where all the experienced crazies hung out. You HAVE to calm down or we'll never put Langston behind bars. Don't you wanna imprison him for what he did to Shiori?"
WHAM!
"What the fuck Minamino?!" Densuke demanded picking himself up off the ground holding his, now bleeding, nose.
"Shut up..." He was trembling, fiercely, "You have no fucking idea Densuke... No idea..."
"Hey, what's with the hostility!? God dammit GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!" Densuke snarled, grabbing Kurama's arm as the boy tried to run. He looked over his shoulder, glaring at Densuke viciously but the hand just held tight. Ignoring the blood streaming from his nose, Densuke wrestled the distraught boy to the ground, straddling him and glaring ferociously down at him. Kurama fought him for a few moments more before laying still his chest heaving with quiet sobs. Densuke placed a hand on his cheek, forcing the redhead to look up into his pale face. Emerald orbs gleamed with tears and Densuke knew stress and grief had finally taken their toll driven harder by the alcohol. Kurama closed his eyes and Densuke got up off him, aiding the boy to his feet. Overseas, Densuke had seen many cops fall to the stress put on them by the daily routine of saving somebody's life and tracking down men like Gaven and Langston.
"Kurama, go home and get some rest. You look like you need it and if Langston calls ignore him." Densuke looked into his eyes and asked firmly, “Understood?" The redhead stayed quiet a bit longer before nodding his understanding.
"Good, now get in the car, I'll drive you home. You're in no shape. I'll call one of my other pals in the precinct to drop off your ride tomorrow morning alright?" Again, Kurama nodded as he climbed in Densuke's car. He looked over to the blonde at the wheel and whispered a small thanks, feeling his headache finally going away and fatigue taking control. Densuke nodded and soon arrived at the boy's house, Kurama climbing out wearily and going into his house, locking the door and staggering up the stairs into his room, falling asleep as soon as he lay down.
The headache was twice as severe in the morning when the redhead finally woke to the opening of the door. Lifting his throbbing head, the boy looked over and saw Hiei come into the room, his stoic expression appearing forced as he tossed Kurama's cell onto the bed and quickly took his leave. Kurama picked up the phone, too hung-over to recognize the voice at once.
"I'm really getting under your skin, boy. I never thought I could push you to such an extreme..."
"What do you want?" he demanded, his grip tightening on the phone. There was silence on the other end before he heard Langston's dark chuckle.
"Does it matter? We all die eventually, some just die earlier than others. I'm just here to help fate along..." Kurama bit his lip as Langston laughed cruelly at him again and he forced himself to calm down. Do just as Youko said, get under his skin, unnerve him, piss him off.
"That is true..." A shocked silence on the other end and now it was Kurama's turn to chuckle, "You're right... just remember that."
"A turn of events? You don't even know where to begin looking, boy. No use trying to scare me, I've gotten this for years. It starts as fear then slowly turns into anger then into a solemn determination and obsession to bring those threats alive... You're just a pretty little bug caught in the web I'm slowly spinning. And I can assure you, your time will come. Maybe I'll go easy on you..." The line went dead and Kurama hung up, letting Langston's words take their toll on his mind, bitterly imagining what torture could be embedded in those words so he could hurry and get on trying to catch the son of a bitch without the threats plaguing his conscience. Letting out a deep breath, the boy went into the bathroom to take a quick shower before dressing and coming downstairs to the twins. Hiei was oddly reclusive, even for him and Yukina seemed a little alarmed as the redhead came downstairs.
"It was him... The man who..who hurt me.. and made brother kill those women..."
"I know... It's alright." Kurama said kneeling next to the trembling girl and gently stroking her hair.
"No, it isn't alright, Kurama. You've never seen what he'd done! He doesn't care who he hurts! He's.... He's a monster!" Yukina shouted, tears sparkling in her eyes. At the sound of Yukina's sniffle, Hiei jumped to alert and glared viciously at Kurama, grabbing his sister and gently guiding her away from the redhead. Yukina said nothing, Hiei shielding her and Kurama got to his feet, staring down into the burning crimson eyes.
"I wasn't trying to hurt her."
"Hn. Stay away from her or I'll do Langston a favor." Kurama simply turned and strode away, Hiei kneeling by his sister only to be met by solemn eyes.
"Hiei... Kurama-san didn't mean any harm. It was scary to think about him again. Please, Hiei-chan, give him a chance?" She placed a hand on Hiei's arm and looked pleadingly up at him, the black haired boy eventually nodded and ran a hand through her sky blue hair. Yukina stood up and walked over to the window, peering out into the secluded drive, the afternoon sun was high overhead and Yukina smiled as a flock of tiny birds blew across the clear blue sky. It was a beautiful day and Hiei felt guilty having to keep Yukina inside the house but he wasn't willing to risk his sister's life again. No, not again. The young girl knew this and stayed quiet although her soft eyes betrayed her longing for the outdoors once again.
"Hiei, she can go outside, the woods conceal any view of the house." Kurama stated, looking at the boy who then looked at his sibling and nodded reluctantly, Yukina's eyes brightening and the twins went outside, Kurama was looking over all the reports when his digital phone rang again. Langston? No, not likely. He'd gotten his power trip from the last call. Answering it, the redhead heard the sounds of fire engines in the distance and the roaring crackle of flames.
"Mizuko's orphanage, its gone Kurama." It was Taki, talking loudly over the chaos behind him as the firefighters struggled to put out the blaze, "The police are guessing arson with the intensity of the flames and they have search dogs all over the place but no luck so far. The bastard's fast and he's getting bold. First a single victim then a string, headed overseas and sets entire buildings ablaze. This one's twisted." Kurama remained silent. All those children, all those lives, gone.
"Survivors?"
"You're kidding right?" Taki replied sardonically, "The fighters have to wait for the blaze to calm before they can do anything. It's a hell of a sight Minamino." He could imagine, the entire building engulfed in fire, the horrid stench of burning human flesh. He felt his stomach churn with the thought. What was this bastard after? What kick did he get out of ruthless, meaningless killing?
"Where's Densuke?"
"Bro's off taking care of your bandit friend, he was released from the hospital this morning. Fast recovery."
"Yes, infamous."
"I see. I suppose you'll report this to my brother later on?"
"Hai."
"Sayonara Minamino." Taki hung up and Kurama leaned back in his chair, quickly dialing Densuke's number. He picked up on the third ring.
"What's up?"
"The orphanage is gone, arson." Densuke gave a low whistle.
"Man he's sick, setting fire to a buncha homeless kids." Yes, he was, Kurama agreed. He'd been thinking that ever since he got involved in the case. Kidnapping, arson, murder, rape, Langston had quite a list of crimes already and Kurama didn't want to think of the ones he had committed back on American soil. Densuke informed him Youko was well and with his second-in-command of the troupe at a hideaway where he could finish healing in peace outside the city. Kurama nodded to himself, it seemed wise to get Youko out of Tokyo for the time being. The two cops were just about to let each other go when Kurama heard Densuke slam on his brakes over the phone and the American boy swore colorfully in English.
"He got another one... Red hair... Green eyes... Her name's... lessee, Sakura Furukawa, high school student."
"Which school?"
"Err.. Looks like Meiou." Kurama felt his heart chill over. Something wasn't right, everything was too coincidental. He had gone to Meiou High School before he'd graduated and took up law enforcement and it made him wonder just how much Langston knew about him.
"Minamino? You alright?"
"Yes, fine."
"I'll call this one in and see ya later at the precinct okay? He's on the loose so if you got the twins outside I'd get them in. You never know where he'll strike next although he can't be very far from here, the blood's still fresh and the body hasn't even gone into Rigor Mortis." Kurama shuddered, the news was almost disturbing and as suggested he went to fetch the twins from the yard. Yukina seemed almost disappointed to have to come in so soon but she understood that anything Kurama or Hiei said would help protect them-even if only for a time-from Langston. Kurama fixed the two some lunch and instructed them to stay inside as he threw on a coat and locked the door to the house. Climbing into his car, the redhead headed for the precinct.
He was shaken. Run little bird, run, run while you still can just like the little chicks nestled so safe in your nest. Langston laughed, those children weren't safe, he could easily deal away with the redhead and the two children if he willed. But let them think they were safe, a chase was always more fun and he had left both the blond and the redhead scrambling to keep up. She was a pretty girl, so like him. Long flowing red hair and pretty green eyes but they didn't compare to him. His coolness was nothing more than a cover easily broken through. he knew exactly how to shake the boy and he would.
"Langston, I thought I hired you to deal away with him."
"I deal with who I want Gaven. You pay me, you don't control me." The older man glared down at the assassin.
"You'll damn well do what I tell you or you can look for a serious cut in your income...Bullet." The blonde chuckled. Money didn't matter anymore. No, it didn't. He wanted the redhead, so captivating and wild, just like his mother. Shiori had been pretty too and had put up a hell of a fight and Langston only looked forward to the day he would encounter Kurama. Kurama, a wild name for the wild heart beating in the boy's chest. It fit him well.
"This is no game dammit." Gaven snapped, Langston looking back at him with an angry glare.
"You know how many vital points there are on the human body? So many... And do you know how horrible it is to bleed to death? How long you have to wait as your heart slowly stops beating, you're gasping for air, going limp and only wanting death to take you? Do you, Gaven?" Langston smiled sadistically, pulling a knife from his belt, still covered in the blood of the Furukawa girl. Gaven backed away, his eyes wide with terror as the assassin raised the knife and brought the tip to tease his throat.
"Y-You wouldn't..."
"Oh, wouldn't I? And just what makes you think you're different from the rest of those I've dealt away with? I've killed slobs, children, well-to-do, and rich men like you among many others. What makes you think that you are any different?" Langston growled, advancing on him, the man's grip tight on Gaven's throat. Gaven flailed and Langston clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"I think I'm going to like this very much... I'm coming, my romantic soldier."
Sakura's corpse looked like something out a horror movie. Her wrists were sliced, probably from being bound by wire, there was a gouge from one ear under her chin to the other and her eyes had been gouged out. There was bruising all along her hips and her legs and arms were slashed, glittering fragments of glass making themselves known. Kurama's expression held stoic, his stomach churning as he looked at her corpse laying on the bed in the morgue. Yomiji came over to the table, fixing his lopsided spectacles leaning precariously on the bridge of his nose. It was hard to believe someone who looked so child-like could ever belong in a morgue but Yomiji was well known for his work as a medical examiner and had yet to fail the precinct.
"I've just finished the autopsy, I'll have a rape kit to you tomorrow. Cause of death: blunt force trauma to the back of the head probably with something like a baseball bat. Her wrists were probably the work of wires or fishing line. Kind of a double death, she bled out too from all the cuts and gouges. She might have been something to look at before your killer got her." Densuke walked over to stand by Kurama, looking down at Sakura's face.
"Damn... I thought I wouldn't have to worry about seeing this again. Suppose I should get used to it, it's a cop's life. We're the blue, coming to save those who need it yet so many die out there or face what those twins or Sakura has. We can try as hard as we want but someone out there is some bastard's next victim and there's nothing that can be done. We just do what we can." Yomiji looked at Densuke with his playful dark eyes and smiled.
"You're the only one that seems to care about the victim. I don't hear many make such connections, Detective Miyahara."
"Just Densuke, alright? Let's just say, this life is personal to me. I lost something very dear to me when I was 18. Taki had just been granted the option of being captain after some crazy we just locked away shot the captain at the jury trial as well as the judge and he jumped at the chance. He figured he could help me out from a higher-up position. It was after that trial that we found out our mom had been murdered. Since then, yeah, I've taken my job seriously." Yomiji patted the two officers on the shoulders, the two smiling down at him. Yomiji brought some kind of light into the dismal job and the morbid business of the morgue. Fumbling in his pocket, Yomiji withdrew a small tube with a piece of cloth stained dark with blood and he dropped it into Kurama's hand. The redhead looked curiously at him and the boy smiled.
"I need that sent to Mika at the DNA lab if you wouldn't mind. Forensics was thinking it might be Langston's blood on that cloth if we got lucky." Densuke and Kurama nodded, bading farewell to Yomiji and heading down another hall, delivering the vial as promised. Mika took the vial and informed them it would be at least a week before she could get the results and the two officers’ only hope was shot. She was overloaded with work as is and now to shove this on her, they almost felt guilty. As the two went for some coffee at the diner, Densuke inquired what was wrong. He hadn't noticed how silent Kurama had been until they had left the morgue. He shook his head, Densuke shrugging. He'd come clean eventually. The two sat quietly over their mugs of steaming coffee when Kurama's cell went off.
"How did you like my display? I always did like sitting around the fire and sharing ghost stories. Especially with that pretty girl, Sakura. Wasn't she so captivating Minamino? Just like you, my romantic soldier." Kurama stiffened, red hair, green eyes, why hadn't he listened to his instinct instead of blowing it off as a mere coincidence.
"What do you want?"
"You, little soldier of love. She was also a Meiou honor student, just like you. And so pretty too." Langston's voice was low, almost seducing over the phone and Kurama felt his heart begin to race with anxiety. It was him the bastard wanted and he was determined to shake Kurama so badly he'd give in. That wasn't going to happen.
"Yes, she was pretty. Quite the work of art. But truly, a well-rounded killer like you is wasting his time right? It'd be a shame to lose me to...some other man." Kurama replied smoothly.
"Don't think that's going to happen, my soldier. You'll be mine fairly soon. I can see you now as we speak, long red mane, those deep eyes... And soon you'll be mine, your wild heart and slender little body will be mine." Langston's voice was a low purr as he finished the sentence and the line went dead. Kurama turned off his phone and thrust into his shirt pocket, looking up at Densuke.
"We need to draw him out. He wants me and he's determined to get his reward."
"And so you're planning to use me to think Langston is losing you so he'll come out into the open?"
"Precisely." Damn him, Densuke grumbled mentally. Taki'd never let him live it down but he'd do what was needed to catch him and right now he didn't have any other bright ideas.
"Well I see you boys have been working hard." Densuke grumbled to himself as Yomi strode up to them, a small smirk on his face. Kurama simply nodded, knowing Densuke's hostility towards their captain. Of all the officers on the force, Densuke seemed to be the one to get the blunt end of most of his jokes and it made the American's hot blood boil over.
"Have you pinpointed his location yet?"
"No, not yet. All we know is he's after me." Yomi raised an eyebrow, leaning against the side of Densuke's booth, the blonde glaring at him.
"After you? What do you have that he wants?"
"That I don't know, he's been killing off women who have the same traits as me so he's getting his message across." Kurama replied coolly although his eyes betrayed the anxiety gripping his heart. Yomi looked down at the two and then outside where Kurama was so intently glancing at and saw the dark shadow inside of a vehicle across the road from the diner.
"I see. Well, good luck to you. I'll do what I can but it's mostly up to you. I could set you extra protection if you desire." Kurama shook his head, he wasn't to give Langston the satisfaction of any kind of sign of weakness. The captain took his leave and Densuke also took to looking out the window, watching the car cruise easily down the street with the rest of the traffic. The American came over and placed a firm hand on his shoulder, his bright blue eyes full of reassurance on his expressionless face.
"Shall we go? I doubt he's left..." Kurama said, rising to his feet and looking firmly at Densuke.
"Hai, my sweet." Densuke replied, unable to contain the playful smile on his lips. Leaving the diner, Densuke placed his hand on Kurama's hip, the redhead's hand going to gently brush Densuke's and he smiled. Are you watching, bastard? Can you see me? The younger Miyahara helped Kurama into the car before climbing in himself, flashing the boy a smile before turning over the engine and heading off into the well-lit streets of downtown Tokyo.
They arrived at Kurama's house later that night, the boy going over to Densuke's window and glancing around before bending down to smile at the blonde. Densuke smiled right back, wrapping his arms around the fox as if pretending to ensnare him in a kiss, the back of Kurama's neck prickling as he slipped his arms around the American's neck, feeling eyes boring into him and he smirked in triumph. Backing away, the fox smiled gently and waved his goodbye before heading into the apartment, Densuke cruising away. It had worked and the redhead was sure he had infuriated Langston to the point of no return.
This was confirmed later that night. Kurama crossed the hall just as the twins settled into bed and threw off his work uniform, climbing into bed and tucking the sheets around his slender form when his digital phone went off. Grabbing it, the boy clicked it on and was greeted by the snarl of an angered Langston.
"Bastard, whore..."
"I told you... I am not yours, Langston."
"Maybe not for now but soon you will be and you'll regret it boy. You can only hide for so long and I will have your blood just like I did those other bitches. I know my threats do nothing to you but just wait little whore, I will have you." Both men hung up and Kurama settled back in bed, staring out at the moon as he sat up. Tossing a robe on to cover his bare chest, the boy padded over to the window and looked out across the treetops of the forest surrounding his house at the luminous city of Tokyo. Kurama looked back over his shoulder at his cell as it began ringing again and he wondered if he should even answer it, not really in the mood to deal with Langston again but something inside told him this was not the case.
"Moshi Moshi Detective Minamno. Sure hope I didn't wake you but I just got word, " Yomiji told him, "they're going to release Shiori's body for burial tomorrow. Thought you'd wanna be ready for the wake, hai?"
"Arigato, Yomiji. Sayonara."
"Sayonara." Clicking off his phone, Kurama felt a faint trace of sorrow catch him but he forced it back, knowing he couldn't grieve any longer. This wasn't the time, by any means. The top priority was Langston, and it would stay that way until the bastard was incarcerated or dead. Kurama bitterly wished for the latter. He sighed as he stripped his robe and climbed back into bed, closing his eyes and waiting for sleep to come.
A scream from the guest room brought Kurama to full alert, his heart racing as he fumbled for his pistol and bolting across the hall into the room where the twins slept.
"You look beautiful, my soldier..." Kurama felt his legs try to freeze, his heart pounding in his chest as he held the gun towards the colleted Langston, his powerful arm across Yukina's waist. Hiei was on his knees across the room, blood steadily pouring from a deep laceration on his abdomen as he tried to stanch it and get to his feet. Everything was blurry as the older Uramatsu twin rose to his feet, his head felt light and the blood continued to flow though slower. Kurama stepped closer, cocking his weapon and taking careful aim, tired of being plagued by him and ready to end this wild goose chase.
"I will see you soon if I assume correctly, my soldier? You look so pretty standing there, taut and ready for me... I know you want to fire but you don't want the girl harmed. So easy to control. Here I take my leave and may I say you have 3 days before she becomes yet another of the highlights on the 6 o'clock news." Langston was gone and Kurama swore, scaling the bed and landing by the window, firing at the man's leg. He fumbled but kept running, persistent son of a bitch. He couldn't get far like that, a bullet in the back of his knee. A thud brought Kurama's attention over to Hiei who had just collapsed from blood loss on the other side of the room, the temporary bandage he had managed to make from his shirt quickly becoming soaked in blood. Picking up the boy, Kurama hurried downstairs and into his car, hurrying off to the hospital. Langston had gotten just what he wanted, a distraction. Damn him, damn him damn him damn him!
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Finally! Chapter 4 has come to an end and I think this is my longest chapter so far, an accomplishment! Chapter 5 will probably be the final installment. I've been trying to end this so as to not drag it out but at the same time take the time to write a fic people are going to like. I don't know if people are going to smack a shounen-ai label on this one with Langston's obsession with Kurama and I'm trying to figure out a way to write it so it isn't. It won't be happy shounen-ai, trust me, it won't be. I thank my friend Amy-chan for being my beta and my other friends for their constant encouragement! I feel loved you guys!
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