Capitolo 4 :: 4

Pubblicato: 29-05-05 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

Commenti: This one is for my new bud, Tasska. There you have it, girl. Enjoy. Bisous, Mojca

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»Mick! «  

»Ryo! «  

And the woman just stood there, mouth agape, as the two men disappeared to the balcony and then up, deafening gunshots moving in the direction of the roof.  

She found them at the roof, laughing like idiots.  

»What the hell is going on, here?! «  

Ryo looked at her. »Reika-chan, this is my friend from the States. «  

Mick stood, giving her a once over. Medium height, long brown hair, lovely, round face and friendly eyes. A beauty, but nothing compared to his Cory.  

»Hi, « he extended his hand. »Mick Angel at your service. «  

»I bet, « Ryo snickered.  

»Shut up! «  

»Hi, « she smiled. »I’m Nogami Reika. Private eye and part-time Ryo’s assistant. «  

»Part-time? « Mick’s eyes bulged. »What the hell happened to you? «  

»Better ask WHO happened, « a female voice purred behind them.  

Ryo groaned. »What are you doing here, Saeko? «  

The beauty shrugged. »The neighbors called the station. Apparently, two loons were climbing the side of the building, trying to kill each other. «  

»That happens almost every day, sis, « Reika laughed.  

Saeko sauntered closer, assessing Mick. »Usually he keeps the shooting inside. «  

»You have a point. «  

»You two are sisters? « Mick looked from one another. They didn’t look alike.  

»Yes, « Saeko smiled sweetly. »I’m Nogami Saeko, Metropolitan Police. «  

»Ooh, touch chick, « Mick taunted… shutting up as a sharp dagger whizzed rather high between his legs. »Wow, great aim. «  

»What are you talking about? « Saeko blinked innocently. »I missed. «  

Ryo frowned. »Why do you always try to neuter my friends, Saeko? «  

»She should, if they’re all like you, Saeba. « A tall raven-haired woman appeared on the roof.  

Ryo, tongue lolling, took flight toward her. »Miki-chaaaaaaaaan! Come here, baby! «  

His face collided with a huge fist.  

»Back off, perv, « a bald giant growled.  

»Thank you for saving me, Falcon, « Miki beamed up at him.  

Umibozu’s ears started smoking.  

»I preferred the hammers, « Ryo muttered, holding his nose.  

All heads turned toward him.  

»What did you just say? « Saeko’s eyes were twinkling.  

»Nothing. «  

»He said he preferred the hammers, « an old geezer poked his head around Umibozu.  

»Aha! « Saeko smiled triumphantly. »I knew it!«  

»Reika-chan, « the old man was not at Umibozu’s side anymore. He was copping a feel. »You’re tush is so firm. I bet you have an amazing high kick. «  

»Professor!!!« Her slap sent him toward the railing.  

»No fair, « he whined. »When Kaori knocked me out, she at least had the decency to revive me… Oh, she had one hell of a body. Yum. «  

Mick, never moving his gaze off his friend, noticed the sadness and hurt flashing in Ryo’s eyes at the mention of the name. Interesting.  

»Who’s Kaori? « He asked.  

Ryo’s jaw locked. »No one. « He disappeared down the stairs.  

»Hey, hon, « Mick purred.  

»Hey. « Cory’s voice trembled a little.  

Mick frowned. »What’s wrong? «  

»No-nothing. « She sounded out of breath… and hot.  

He grinned. »Baby, don’t be embarrassed abut what happened. It was the best night of my life, I swear. «  

»God, please don’t, « she whimpered.  

Mick shook his head at her shyness. »Honey, I love you. «  

»I love you, too. «  

»You better, « he smiled. »Don’t be shy with me, Cory. Never do that. You have no idea how grateful I am for the gift you bestowed on me. «  

»Mick…« she groaned.  

»OK, OK, I’ll be good. «  

»Thank you. « There was a sigh. »How was the flight? «  

»Uneventful. « He dropped on the bed. »I’m glad I came, though. One learns all kinds of stuff abroad. «  

»Care to elaborate? «  

»Remember how I told you that my best bud never fell in love? «  

»Who would after what he went through. Always living with the fear that the one you love might die and abandon you. He’s been alone all his life, Mick. That’s all he knows. «  

Mick frowned. He didn’t like the ardor with which she spoke of Ryo and his ‘feelings’. He was jealous, and the two have never met. I’m such a loser.  

»Mick? Are you still there? «  

»Yeah, I’m here. « Mick shook his head. »Anyway, I think he might have fallen for someone. «  

»That’s nice. Aren’t you happy for him? «  

»Not really. «  

»Party-pooper. « There was reproach in her voice.  

»Don’t get me wrong, Cor, I sure am happy for him, but apparently she’s left him or something. «  

»Oh…«  

»It’s all very mysterious, really. He gets this strange look when someone mentions her name and leaves the room. I’ll have to ask his friends. I’m curious about the woman who could bring him to his knees. «  

»She probably didn’t love him in return. « There was a long pause. »I know how it feels…«  

Mick was silent. You do, do you? Why don’t you tell me about it, baby. I’d gladly kill the bastard who broke your heart. »How are you doing?«  

There was a pained groan. »Deadline’s coming and I’m stuck. «  

He grinned maliciously. »Want me to help you relax? «  

»I don’t know… What do you have in mind? «  

»Are you comfy? «  

»On the sofa. « There was laughter in her voice. »Mick…«  

»Shhh. Close your eyes…«  

»Closed. «  

»Excellent. « He licked his lips, his hand traveling down his torso. »Now… what are you wearing? « …  

»Hello, Reika, « Mick greeted walking into Cat’s Eye. »I’m so glad I bumped into you. «  

»You are, « the private detective lifted an eyebrow. »Why? «  

»Well, « he plopped on the stool beside her. »I need to ask you a question. «  

»Shoot. «  

»Who’s Kaori? «  

Reika sighed. »I don’t know much. She left before I met Ryo and his friends. All I know is she was the younger sister of Ryo’s friend, Makimura Hideyuki. Maki left the Police and joined Ryo, working as his partner and middleman. He was killed by a drug cartel… on his sister’s twentieth birthday. «  

»God, « Mick whispered.  

»Ryo took Kaori under his wing, making her his assistant in her brother’s place…«  

»… and eventually falling in love with her, « Mick finished for her.  

Reika nodded slowly. Makimura Kaori was a shadow constantly wrapped around Ryo, around his heart. It barricaded all others from reaching him. Sometimes she hated that woman, the woman she never knew.  

»What happened? Why did she leave? « Mick couldn’t believe it. Ryo really did love that woman.  

Reika shrugged. »I don’t know. He never talks about her… as you probably noticed yesterday. Besides, if he knew I was here talking about Kaori to you, he’d never speak to me again. «  

»I see. « Things were getting more interesting by the minute.  

»He sent her away, « a deep voice murmured. Umibozu was watching the two of them with an unreadable expression.  

Mick’s head snapped about, crossing gazes with the giant. »Why? «  

»She was his weakness, « Saeko responded from the entrance. »His enemies used her against him… and he couldn’t take the thought of losing her. «  

Doc appeared behind her. »Silver Fox issued a challenge to him. Ryo had three day to prevent him from killing Kaori…«  

Mick was flabbergasted. Ryo.  

»Ryo wanted to protected her at all costs, so he fired her and sent her to me… And still he couldn’t stay away…«Doc spoke sadly.  

»She came to me to teach her how to defend herself, « Umibozu continued. »I taught her everything I knew about booby traps and explosives…«  

»She challenged Silver Fox to a duel, « Saeko sighed. »And won…«  

»But Ryo sent her away, saying it was best for both of them, « Doc scratched his head. »They were in my garden and I could hear everything. The things he said… I wanted to hit him for them… I could see it was slowly breaking her heart, but she didn’t cry.« His eyes turned misty as if he was looking back to the past. »I’ve never seen a more proud woman. Chin held high, she looked straight into his eyes, taking everything he threw at her with dignity… Kaori was one of a kind…«  

The glass door was opened with such force, the tiny bell ended on the floor.  

»Hey, man, « Mick lifted a hand in greeting.  

Ryo’s face was a dark mask of fury as he grabbed his best friend’s collar, hauling him off the stool. »Don’t you dare ask about her again, you hear? She’s none of your business. She’s gone and hopefully will stay that way! « He hissed.  

»Hey, man, I’m sorry…«  

»Shut up, « he let Mick go, leveling a dark glance at the others. »As for you, from now on try to keep your mouths shut. She’s out of our lives. She’s forgotten. «  

Saeko’s voice stopped him at the entrance. »If she’s forgotten, why do you refuse to say her name, Ryo? «  

He walked out, not saying a word.  

…  

Mick caught up with him at the park. »I’m sorry, bud. I shouldn’t have pried. «  

»Just don’t do it again, « Ryo murmured darkly.  

»Sorry,« Mick smiled sheepishly. »I just had to know more about her.« About the woman who brought you to your knees. »She must be beautiful. Even her name sounds like poetry… Kaori.«  

Hearing her name on his friend’s lips snapped something inside Ryo. Swinging, he brought his fist dead center into Mick’s face, throwing him off his feet. »Don’t you mention her name ever again,« he spat. »You’re not worthy of saying her name.« And he stormed off.  

Mick caressed his aching jaw, staring pensively at Ryo’s back. This was going to be a piece of cake. There was nothing easier than killing a man who had nothing to lose…  

His face dark and unreadable, he stood, brushing at his slacks. He didn’t want to kill his best friend. He just wanted to go home. Cory. 

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