[ Watashi ]

[ Tomodachi ]

[ Saint Seiya ]

[ Clamp ]

[ Fanfiction ]

As usual I couldn't help making a horrible slurping noise as I swallowed a bite of noodles.

I had been in Japan for three months and still I couldn't eat noodles properly. Well, not with the damn chopsticks. Smiling sheepishly to one of the girls who had stayed like me at her desk during lunch time, I thought that even if I was given a lifetime's training I still would prove myself unable to handle chopsticks where noodles were concerned.

The only problem was that instant noodles were the easiest thing to cook and eat, the quickest to do when one was in a hurry, and I seemed to perpetually be in a hurry.

I checked one last time my monthly report for the academy, and nodded, selecting the print option. Okay, that one would go back to Europe as it was.

There was only one thing more boring than synthetizing files : making the cursed progress reports. I sighed. Well I guessed that it was logical I had to justify the expenses my stay in Japan implied. Although I got payed for my work in the criminal brigade, still it could in no way cover all the costs I had. Insurances, social security, rent, and so on. The list was endless.

My small mailbox suddenly activated, and I opened it to see an incoming message from the labs section.

The mail was about one Takashi Shiro.

Oh yes, of course...

It had been two weeks since the incident of Tokyo Tower, and I hadn't expected to get feedback concerning it. I was used to being treated as an insignificant factor, but come to think of it, it was true that my status had subtly changed since that day... I had more work than before !

I laughed silently, and then got a look at the mail.

So...

As I had suspected, the blood analysis had revealed no trace of drugs or alcohol in the man's bloodstream. He had been as sober as it was possible to be. He had no mental disabilities record, no known crisis of delirium but for the one on the Tower... No trace of poison of any kind that could have induced a nightmarish illusion...

The man was as steady and stable as they came.

A true rock.

He even found science-fiction novels ridiculous...

Somehow, he had just blown a fuse in the middle of a meeting...

And he had no memory of what had happened.

As if as soon as it had left him, his vision had been wiped clear from his mind.

I let my fingertips rythmically drum on the top of my desk, considering.

This wasn't making any sense...

"Ange-san..."

I jumped, surprised, and turned to see my boss looking down at me with a dubious look in his eyes. I bowed slighlty.

"Yes Yamashina-san ?"

He nodded in the direction of his office.

"I would like a word with you..."

I got up and followed him, wondering what it was I had done wrong this time.

He closed the door behind him and came to face me.

"Ange-san..."

He sighed.

I wished I were a thousand kilometers away.

"I haven't granted you access to the brigade's central computer for you to play with the files..."

Ah... I smiled inwardly. So we were about to have that argument again.

I let my eyes unfocus as he went on.

"You have this access for two reasons : to help you in the gathering of data for your study, which is after all the reason of your presence here, and also to help you in the synthesizing of the affairs currently in this brigade's jurisdiction..."

His voice was worse than a lullaby. It was all I could do not to yawn. Geeze, I'd have liked to take a nap right now. The heat of summer was just too enticing...

My kingdom for a swimming pool...

"There have been repeated accesses to old files, closed matters and each time the accesses have been traced back to your computer..."

I nodded absentmindedly : of course they had been traced to me, I had never bothered to cover my tracks. I had seen no reason why I should.

"We have already had a discussion on this matter : this is a ridiculous, senseless waste of time and ressources. Those affairs were closed because there wasn't anything to investigate. You have enough work to do here, you have no need to scatter your concentration and waste your strength in seeking solutions where there is no mystery to be solved. You have a much too fertile imagination. This is not a detective novel, this is reality. Do you understand me Ange-san ?"

I let my smile reach my lips, nodding.

"Yes Yamashina-san, I understand you perfectly. I suppose it is useless for me to tell you once again what I think... But really, it seems to me you believe a bit too much in chance..."

He shook his head.

"Ange-san, we have been over this already. There is no evidence of murder in all the cases you quoted to me. Quite the contrary, all deaths occured of natural causes, and this was proved. There are facts to vouch for this. Are you so stubborn you will deny facts ?"

I bowed my head.

Indeed, it was useless to discuss this with him and it was true that no one had asked me to make this investigation, but...

I didn't deny facts, I simply believed the interpretation of those facts was wrong. There were too many coincidences...

Eventually I looked up again and said :

"Sir, I am doing my job, I have been assigned work that should go to more than one person, and I still manage to do it in the time alloted to me. I also am never late in the reports I send back to my academy. No one can say that I botch my work or make bad-quality reports. I may do a good number of extra-hours, but I believe that is my problem, and as long as my 'private' investigations do not interfere with my work, I see no reason for me to stop. If you wish to give me a direct order forbidding me to persevere, then I will have no choice but to obey of course, but I see no logical reason why..."

We faced each other during a long time, and eventually he said :

"I have no wish to cause dissention or to create a bad atmosphere of work, so I will not command you to stop. So long as your job is done properly, I will not interfere with your... Search... I will however not stop wishing you would give up this foolish quest..."

Well, he could wish as much as he wanted to...

He sighed deeply.

"Well that's all I had to tell you. You may go."

As I turned my back on him, I though with no little mirth that subtle suggestions and wishes were lost on me. I was not Japanese. I had no innate respect for those who were above me in the hierarchy. I hadn't had the right upbringing. And maybe it explained why people here distrusted me. My differences showed...

Insubordination...

Even if they hated it, they had no choice but to get used to it, and besides it was good for them to have to adapt to novelty once in a while.

I smiled impishly, suddenly proud of myself.

Sometimes I just felt like a bad-mannered child.

My hand turned the doorknob.

"Beware, some things are better left alone..."

I froze.

What had I heard ?

It had been little more than a faint whisper, but...

I turned around.

Yamashina Makoto had his back on me and was studying the view from his office's window.

I nodded slowly, and got out of the room.

I had been sure there was a reason why those files hadn't been cleared from the central computer's memory.

This mystery I would solve.

I smiled coldly.

Whether they liked it or not.

I sat down in front of my desk and stared blankly at the monitor, my mind to busy processing what had just happened. Eventually, I managed to snap out of it and re-read the mail of the analysis section.

Oh well, I would never make sense of what had happened to mister Takashi, it was beyond me. And anyway he was safe and sound and happy and rich again so I really had no reason to worry. I had more interesting things to do.

As I was about to delete the mail, I noticed a post-scriptum stating that I was invited to a reception given by said mister Takashi, and that he dearly hoped to see me there in order to express his thanks...

It would take place at the end of the month.

This was just great.

I hated society gatherings.

I hated them with a passion.

"Okay, I'll join you in twenty minutes or so, you can do the warm-up without me, ne ? Besides, I still have to litter Tenshi's stall and finish taking care of his feet."

The boy nodded seriously, and went away, lightly touching his heels to his mare's flanks. In an afterthought I added :

"And no early canter, you go through the warm-up as I told you, is that clear ?"

He nodded.

"Hai Kassandra-sensei..."

I smiled, shaking my head. That kid was too disciplined...

"Kassandra-san !"

I turned my head on the left to see a girl running towards me.

"Yes Yuki-san ?"

She stopped beside me and showed me a horse tied to the wall about twenty meters away.

"It's Shadow, he's limping again, Katsumi-san is so worried..."

I nodded.

"Okay, I'll have a look... But Yuki-san, I promised Kenji-kun to help him through his showjumping training session and I must be in the field in twenty minutes. In the meantime I had thought of taking care of Tenshi and it seems I won't have time for that. Can you do it for me ?"

She smiled.

"Of course..."

I bowed slightly.

"Thanks. You know where my gear is stored, ne ?"

That said, I quickly went over to the lonely horse.

I kneeled down.

Well, even with the night falling, I could see the swelling on the bay gelding's four legs. There was a flash as the yard's lights were automatically turned on, and I gave my eyes a few seconds to get accustomed to the artificial lights.

I gently patted the gelding's shoulder, saying in a reassuring tone :

"It'll be all right Shadow, it'll be all right..."

My fingers gently probed the sinews, and went along each leg. The gleding tried to shift his position and I let him.

It was bothering him indeed.

One last time my fingers went over the swelling on the left foreleg.

I smiled.

It was not too serious.

"Kassandra-san..."

Recognizing the voice of the gelding's owner, I stood up, stroking the horse's neck and said :

"I just had a look Katsumi-san, and it's not bad, don't worry..."

I turned to face her and suddenly saw she was not alone.

"Oh, forgive me..."

I bowed.

She was accompanied by a man.

Tall.

A dark grey raincoat covering his lean frame.

Wearing glasses which somehow didn't quite fit.

Handsome in a dark sort of way.

Strong.

Feline...

I inwardly shook myself, trying to clear my mind of the riotous thoughts and feelings his presence had somehow triggered.

My heart was suddenly beating so hard I was sure everyone in the yard could hear it.

Berating myself for being a stupid fool, I thought that I hated being taken by surprise like this.

Hell, I had been sure to hear only one person walking towards me.

I was losing my edge.

Damn.

Katsumi chuckled.

"Kassandra-san, let me introduce you to my friend Sakurazuka Seishirou. He is the best veterinarian I know, and since I was worried about Shadow I asked him to come by... Sei-chan, this is Ange Kassandra, a western expert on horses..."

He bowed, smiling.

"Nice to meet you Ange-san..."

Flashy smile... Charming... Yet something... Belatedly, I remembered to bow as well, blushing :

"Nice to meet you as well Sakurazuka-san."

Shit, now they both would think me an uneducated fool. I should have carried with me a panel stating : "Ange Kassandra, the expert on making a fool of herself"... The tall veterinarian said :

"But we interrupted you, please continue..."

I stammered.

"Ah yes..."

Suddenly I felt like screaming.

"Well Katsumi-san, I just got a look on Shadow, and as I thought it's simply a confirmation of what I had told you last week : there simply is nothing to be done about this. Shadow needs frequent, regular exercise, and you'll notice the swelling wearing off once he's warmed-up. But I'm afraid you'll often find him limping a bit when you get him out of his stall. It's not serious, it's just something that's there and you have to accept. Like rheumatisms if you wish..."

She nodded absentmindedly, apparently lost. In the same time, her companion quickly squatted down beside the horse's left foreleg and began gently probing it. After a good minute, he stood up and smiled at me.

"Well, congratulations, I just came to the same conclusion..."

He turned towards Katsumi.

"Don't worry Katsumi-chan, it's really nothing serious, you can keep on riding Shadow, and indeed, the more regularly you will work him, the best it will be for him, there really is nothing to be alarmed about..."

Suddenly, he playfully hit her brow with his index finger.

"So I don't want to see that long face again, okay ?"

She nodded, smiling.

"Okay, so I'll begin treatment at once doctor !"

As she was busying herself with the brushing and saddling of her horse, the man once again turned towards me.

"So Ange-san, tell me how you know so much about horses pathology..."

I shrugged.

"I have been working as semi-pro groom in the showjumping world. You have to take care of horses and also to detect small problems and solve them very quickly. It's a simple question of habit..."

I looked into his eyes and abruptly realised his right eye was blind.

Hence the glasses.

But he...

Curiosity could be glimpsed on his face and general stance.

Of course...

Somehow, Japanese men were always curious about gaijin women, but as I didn't fit the Swedish blonde hair with blue eyes type, I was usually discarded from their minds after five minutes. So better to get it over with as quickly as possible. I smiled.

"And before you ask, I am in Japan for three years, and as I am a horses enthusiast, I simply joined a riding-club as soon as I could find one that suited me."

He chuckled.

"Well, I was about to ask you this Ange-san, it is true indeed. And would you mind my asking what it is you do in our country ?"

I had surprised him, I could tell that.

The man was subtle. Much more than the people I was used to meeting.

There was something about him...

I shrugged.

"Not at all. My field is criminology and I currently work for the criminal brigade of Tokyo police..."

He whistled in appreciation.

"They accepted a foreigner among them ? This is quite an achievement... But the criminal brigade is in the center of Tokyo, it must take you more than an hour to get here... And you do this every day ?"

It was as if I had already seen him somewhere...

I nodded.

"Well, actually the trip lasts closer to one hour forty minutes. I'd rather do this than waste my time in karaoke-bars or in game centers..."

He laughed.

"I see you are in no way the usual standard young woman, Ange-san..."

He looked at me.

"Tell me, do you have Greek origins ?"

I smiled.

"No, my mother simply loves Greece..."

Damn, if only I had been able to pinpoint what it was that he was reminding me of...

"Something wrong Ange-san ?"

I suddenly realised I was fixing him, and blushed.

"Ah, no... I was just wondering if we hadn't met before... You seem somehow familiar..."

He chuckled.

"Believe me, I would have remembered a young lady as remarkable as you Kassandra-san..."

In a flirting mood was he ? I wiggled my finger at him.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to flatter girls this way Sakurazuka-san ? It could prove dangerous..."

He smiled.

"No, she didn't."

My heart skipped a beat.

This feeling...

No...

My right hand closed on the gold pendant on my chest.

My fingers felt for the small horse, the Key of Life and the tiny beetle, as if they had been a talisman.

No there wasn't anything.

But...

During a fraction of a second...

I had...

Cold...

Void...

I shook my head.

Godsrotted day, I was exhausted. And my discussion with my boss hadn't helped matters.

I had to get back to the real world or I'd end up as delirious as poor Takashi Shiro had been.

Not a very cheering prospect that one.

I smiled at Sakurazuka Seishirou and gently poked at his chest with my index finger, saying in a conspirational tone :

"Well, now you know..."

I stepped back, suddenly remembering my promise to young Kenji and brought a hand to my lips.

"Ooops ! Sorry, but I'll have to leave you now, I have a kid waiting for me to put up fences for him in the field..."

I smiled apologetically.

"Really, I'm sorry to abandon you like this..."

He shook his head.

"No, don't worry, it's okay. It was a pleasure meeting you Kassandra-san, and I'm sure we'll meet again soon."

I nodded.

"It was a pleasure for me too Sakurazuka-san..."

He chuckled.

"You can call me Seishirou you know..."

I bowed.

"All right then... Seishirou-san... I hope you'll have a nice evening."

He smiled softly.

"Oh don't worry, it already is a nice evening..."

I turned my back on him and left for the field where Kenji had to be wondering if I hadn't forgotten about him.

I smiled fondly as I watched the young woman walking away.

Her green eyes were as deep and dark as I remembered them.

It had been a long time since I had had to watch and dissemble myself.

It had been too long since a spark of light had last disturbed the dull greyness of existence.

Kassandra...

A beautiful name.

Tragic.

I chuckled in the night.

This game might just prove interesting.

End of Part 2.

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