[ Watashi ]

[ Tomodachi ]

[ Saint Seiya ]

[ Clamp ]

[ Fanfiction ]

I leaned back against my chair and smiled.

Time to leave, and not a minute too soon.

I closed my current applications, thinking it had been my luck there wasn't anything even remotely resembling a hammer in this room, or I'd have smashed this computer to pieces delightfully. It had been a frustrating day, but at least my boss had at last stopped spying the smallest of my movements.

During two weeks after the death of Taksahi Shiro, I hadn't been able to walk a step without him or someone else watching me.

I chuckled silently.

What had he thought ? That I'd go berserk and begin shooting every man I met because he might be the assassin I was looking for ?

Hell, there hadn't been a way to have a reasonable talk on the subject with him. It was like talking to a wall.

His fear wasn't making any sense.

Or...

When one looked closely at the "natural" deaths stored in the old "closed affairs" files, one could very quickly see a strange coincidence.

All the dead had been either influential politcians, powerful financiers or company leaders... Which could lead to a very scary thought.

Could there be a dark side to the government and power in Japan ?

A shadowy, invisible side on which differences within were settled by means of assassination ? The assassin used would have to be highly skilled, and he would be protected from above. Virtually impossible to unmask.

Damnit.

It would have explained much.

It would also have blown away the sweet image of Japan's democracy.

Of every democracy on this planet.

I shook my head, thinking that I hoped for once logic would prove wrong. I had no wish to contemplate a thing like that.

Because then I didn't stand a chance.

Unless of course I became an assassin myself...

I shivered.

"Ange-san..."

The voice of one of my rare female coworkers drew me abruptly out of my dark reverie, and I turned towards her.

I sighed as I noticed she was bearing a pile of papers.

"Okay Sato-san, you can put them here..."

I quickly pushed away another pile of files. Shit, my desk was being turned into a chaotic mess...

"But I won't be looking at those until tomorrow. I'm leaving now."

She nodded apologetically.

"I know, I'm sorry... It's just that Yamashina-san told me it was urgent..."

I switched the computer off and stood up, smiling sweetly.

"Well, then urgent will wait till tomorrow..."

I patted her right shoulder comfortingly.

"Don't worry, he'll know you delivered them when he asked..."

I turned and walked away.

"Ja !"

I shook my head while exiting the building, inwardly seething.

Gods rot it, did the man believe I was a slave ? Did he think he could somehow intimidate me and make me give up my search ?

My life depended on it, and not only my life...

Suddenly, I saw Seishirou's familiar shape in the park on the other side of the avenue. All thoughts of investigation and assassin at once vanished from my mind and I ran towards him, smiling happily.

I stopped right in front of him and grinned as I saw the reproachful look in his eyes while he was saying :

"Damn, Kassandra you should be more careful, you almost got hit by that taxi..."

I smiled impishly.

"Well, I didn't want to keep you waiting, it wouldn't have been polite, ne ?"

He sighed in mock despair.

"You're hopeless."

I laughed.

"I know..."

I looked up as I heard the breeze rustling the trees' leaves.

Sakura.

The trees were beautiful and healthy, their leaves a shining emerald green.

So full of life...

Something unknown wrung my heart.

"Kassandra ?..."

A hand gently touched my left shoulder.

"Something wrong ?"

I looked away from the trees with difficulty and shook my head.

"No..."

I smiled at my companion, chasing away angrily the strange feeling in my heart.

"So, shall we go ?"

He looked at me with curiosity for a second, then nodded and I turned away from the park with relief.

I sighed happily, relishing the sunset's gentle warmth on my face.

Hisei's gait was smooth and very very comfortable indeed. I could almost have fallen asleep on his back. Almost...

"I have rarely seen you so at ease Kassandra, it's a real pleasure to see you so relaxed..."

I smiled at Seishirou.

"I told you I loved horses, didn't I ?... Besides, you're with me, which makes this ride even more enjoyable."

He chuckled.

"Why, thank you !"

I looked at him and thought he had a very good seat. Yes, he could ride pretty well. His bay mare was not the easiest horse of the riding-club, and yet he could control her with amazing ease.

Good.

Then we could have a bit of fun.

I showed him a range of trees which was about five hundred meters distant.

"I'll race you to those trees. The loser will take care of both horses when we get back. Agreed ?"

He smiled.

"You are certain to win Kassandra, you are riding Hisei..."

I shook my head, grinning.

"No no. I'll give you some advance to make it fair..."

He nodded, and suddenly gave the bay mare his heels.

I looked at the both of them and thought they had a good speed.

Hisei whinnied, restless, and I patted his neck.

"Yes little one, soon..."

He wanted to run. He wanted the race.

And I suddenly realised I wanted it even more than he did.

I wanted...

They had a sufficient headstart now.

My ankles very slightly pressed Hisei's flanks, and at once the beautiful chestnut stallion threw himself forward, his ears pricked. I gave him the bit, leaning on his neck and relishing the feeling of his long strides and of the wind slapping my face.

Faster...

Faster...

I laughed with delight.

It was like flying.

Like dancing.

Like dreaming.

I barely saw Seishirou's surprised look as we overtook him and the bay mare.

Faster...

There was only the sound of Hisei's hooves beating the ground.

The powerful beatings of his heart.

The feeling of his space devouring strides.

We were free.

Immortal.

I would have wanted this race to last for an eternity.

Suddenly, I felt the trees' shadow on us and reluctantly drew the reins, gently regaining control. Hisei twitched his ears and I smiled fondly, patting his neck and being careful of making him walk slowly.

He also would have wanted the race to go on.

We were kindred spirits, he and I.

On impulse, I got down and loosened the girth a bit, walking beside the stallion and gently stroking his left cheek. He rubbed his forehead against my right shoulder and I smiled fondly.

Gods, I loved that horse.

I turned to my left as I heard the bay mare's hooves.

"Well, it would seem you won my lady..."

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Matters not. It was not a fair race anyway. I know that, I just wanted to have fun, so it doesn't count. I'll take care of Hisei when we get back."

Seishirou got down from his horse and smiled.

"You will not..."

I looked at him with curiosity.

"I was stupid enough to accept this race even though I knew I would lose it, so it's only fair I pay the price, don't you think ?"

There was something in his smile...

He was deadly serious.

Why ?

I had only been playing a prank, it had been nothing more than a child's game...

Oh, after all... I shrugged.

"No, I do not think it is fair, but if you want to do my chores, it's fine by me..."

I grinned at him.

"I will enjoy watching you."

He chuckled.

"I don't doubt that for a second !"

Hisei's head plunged down suddenly, and I lost my balance, falling on my knees in the grass.

Seishirou laughed while the chestnut stallion calmly began cutting the lush grass without the slighest shame for his behaviour. I shook my head laughing as well, and lied down on my back in the grass.

Watching the evening sky.

Damnit, what was I doing here playing like a child ? Making pranks while I should have been searching for the assassin.

Shit, I was worse than a child.

I was a cursed idiot.

The first star began to shine above me and I fixed it.

Feeling helpless.

I didn't know what to do, I was feeling lost.

It was beyond me.

But still...

I didn't have a choice... Did I ?

Hell, of course I didn't ! I was stalling because I was afraid.

Terrified.

I...

There was a slight sound as Seishirou sat down beside me.

"What is going on Kassandra ?"

I looked at him.

He was fixing me.

I stayed silent for a few seconds, and then sighed.

"Too much..."

I sat up and brought my knees against my chest.

"You remember I told you I had come here to make a study on criminality in Japan, specifically a study of murders and assassins ?..."

He nodded and I looked away, smiling bitterly.

"Well, as I began gathering data, I looked up old files, files that had been closed because there was no evidence of murder. I found it strange at first that such files should be kept in the archives. After all, they're of no use to anyone, ne ?..."

I closed my hands around my knees.

"A waste of resources..."

I chuckled humorlessly.

"But as more and more of such files appeared during my research, I stopped believing in coincidences. This could not be a simple matter of chance. I slowly got the certitude I was looking at murders that had been very artfully disguised as natural deaths. I told this to my superior who told me in no uncertain words to mind my own business and that I had no time to waste on chimaeras... You know me, his words simply strengthened my resolve to solve the mystery..."

I shook my head.

"I suppose it could have gone on like this for a long time. Then one day I prevented a man from jumping from the top of Tokyo Tower..."

He nodded.

"Takashi Shiro, the man who died the night you went to that reception."

I smiled coldly.

"The very same. I realised it too late, but that man had never tried to commit suicide, he had been driven to it. Don't ask me how, there was no trace of anything in his blood... But the result is that I made the assassin notice me..."

I released my knees and sighed.

"A bad and very foolish mistake that one..."

I looked up at the darkening sky.

"But I *didn't* know... Damnit I didn't..."

I shook my head.

"Suffice to say that the assassin came back to finish his work that night, and took care of having me as helpless witness of it..."

My right hand closed into a fist.

"Apparently he didn't appreciate my intervention on Tokyo Tower, which is why he was kind enough to tell me I was on his target list from that moment on..."

I gritted my teeth, remembering.

"He seems like one who likes his fun. He said he would hunt me..."

I laughed suddenly.

"Kind of him to warn me, don't you think ?..."

I added, looking at my companion who was watching me closelyn, silent :

"Or presomptuous ?..."

I chuckled.

"I'll tell you, this guy is certainly the most skilled assassin there's ever been, but he's also underestimating me if he thinks I'll wait for him to come and get me..."

I smiled softly.

"I will find him. No matter what it takes, no matter how, I will unmask him..."

There was a long silence, then Seishirou nodded, saying gently :

"So this is why you've been so tense and on edge these last few days..."

He smiled.

"I think this is affecting you much more than you care to admit Kassandra, am I right ?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe..."

Hell, a man was dead by my fault.

"Not that my feelings are of any importance anyway..."

Seishirou made me look at him.

"They are. As are you. You must take precautions Kassandra, you can't just go on with your life as if nothing had happened. You must warn the police and get some kind of protection, or better, go away..."

I bit my lower lip.

"Yeah, I guess I could go back to Europe. Chances are he wouldn't pursue me there. But..."

I stared at him steadily.

"As long as he hunts me, other people are safe, do you see ? If I can find him, then no other life will be in danger because of him..."

He sighed.

"Forgive me for saying this Kassandra, but you seem to think your enemy acts sequentially, chasing only one victim at a time... Why should he behave that way ? What prevents him from killing other people while waiting for the perfect opportunity to reach you ?"

I looked at my friend, feeling cold spreading through me. I bowed my head, whispering :

"Nothing..."

I tightened my fist.

"Nothing, you're right..."

I shook my head angrily.

"Hell, I'm the one who's a presomptuous fool !"

His hand gently settled on my left shoulder.

"No... Your judgement is clouded because all this is hitting you hard... That's why you need to get some protection, to lift a bit the weight on your heart, so that you can think better on a way to achieve your ends..."

I looked up at him, saying flatly :

"No."

He sighed.

"Come on Kassandra, be reasonable ! You can't keep on living alone in that studio of yours, you're too vulnerable there. If you don't want to warn the police, then at least come live at my place, I have a guest room where you could stay..."

I cut him abruptly.

"No !..."

Damnit. No... I whispered :

"You don't get it..."

He shook his head.

"No, I don't get it, you're right. Has your life so little value ?"

I laughed sadly.

"My life, value ?..."

I looked at him.

"Besides being a thorn in my boss's side, and a temporary distraction for an assassin, what value does my cursed life have ?"

He smiled soflty.

"What about our friendship, have you forgotten already or didn't you mean what you said that night ?"

I abruptly looked away from him.

"Gomen..."

I was a godsrotted fool. I...

Arms gently embraced me from behind and he whispered :

"It's all right..."

Part of me wanted to relax against him, feel his gentle strength and close my eyes, stay like this until the end of time, but I couldn't. I knew I couldn't afford to listen to my heart. I said in a toneless voice :

"Seishirou, I cannot accept help, from anyone, and much less from you. Anybody helping me would be in danger from the assassin. And if ever something happened to you..."

I fought back to lump in my throat.

"I could not bear it."

He held me close.

"I know Kassandra..."

He gently nuzzled my hair.

"But you cannot prevent me from protecting you if it is what I want, ne ?"

I clenched my teeth, feeling tears filling my eyes.

"I can, and I will if I have to..."

He made me face him, and I suddenly felt his lips brushing mine.

I...

Unable to help myself, I answered his kiss and leaned into his embrace, holding on to him.

Holding on to him for dear life.

Gods help me, I...

No... No I had no time for this, I could not afford this...

He released me and I looked at him, bewildered. He smiled wryly.

"Forgive me Kassandra, I..."

I shook my head, smiling and looking up.

"I don't want to hear excuses..."

I sighed.

"Just... Don't rush me, will you ?..."

He nodded silently, and reached out to me, his index finger gently catching a tear I hadn't been able to chase away. Reflexively I said :

"Dust in my eyes..."

He chuckled.

"Of course..."

I got up, and went to Hisei.

"Kassandra..."

I stopped.

"Promise me you will take care of yourself and come to me if you need me. For whatever reason."

I smiled in the waning light of dusk.

I wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around me again. I wanted nothing more than to go to him.

I could not.

I closed my heart to feelings that would be nothing more than a hindrance and a weakness from now on. Perhaps if I could somehow unravel the mystery and be free of the assassin's threat...

I said softly :

"I will be careful, that I promise..."

I looked at him, smiling ironically.

"I'm stubborn and contrary, don't forget, there's no way I'll make this assassin's work easy."

Not now that Seishirou had given me a reason to want to live on.

Hisei blew softly in my neck and I turned to him, hugging him and laughing :

"Okay you big ugly monster, I know you're hungry and want your supper so we'll go back..."

Seishirou stood up behind me, saying :

"You really love Hisei, don't you ?"

I nodded.

"Yes... I love all horses of course, but... Sometimes, a rider will be lucky enough to meet a horse whose character and his match, and a bond very strong will then be forged between the two of them. It really is something special... I met such a horse in my life, his name was Tango..."

I shook my head, whispering :

"He died the way Shadow did..."

I sighed, chasing back the memories where they belonged.

"Anyway, I never thought I would one day find a horse that could be my friend the way Tango had been..."

I softly stroked the chestnut's head and he closed his eyes in quiet contentment.

"But thanks to you, I have Hisei..."

Suddenly, the stallion pushed me, whinnying impatiently, and I laughed.

"All right all right, we're going !"

The chestnut licked my right cheek and I mumbled something indistinct about horses stomachs and appetites.

Seishirou chuckled gently.

"It's incredible the way you and Hisei understand each other, I could almost be jealous..."

I looked back at him, grinning suddenly, and he shrugged.

"Oh well, I said almost !"

I watched her as she got back on the chestnut stallion.

She had been confused, but then I had expected that.

A lesser prey would have thought only of running away.

Not that it would have changed anything...

She would fight.

It was good.

I would have been disappointed in her if she had been overwhelmed by fear.

It was not time for her to feel that yet.

First, I had to reach her soul, even if that was proving more difficult than I would have thought.

It was an interesting challenge.

I smiled, remembering the way she had yielded to me and then regained control of herself.

She had somehow been able to deny her feelings again. There was a strange backbone to her. A strength I didn't completely understand. As if it sprung out of things she would have kept hidden deep inside her.

Behind all her shields.

Incredible how quickly she could slam her wall down.

But not for much longer.

I knew how to get to her now.

I brought the bay mare to her level and she looked at me as our legs brushed.

Smiling.

Happiness shining in her eyes, if only for a brief moment.

She had won the race.

I would win the bet she had refused to acknowledge.

Very soon.

End of Part 5.

On to Next Part.
Back to Previous Part.

Back to my Fanfic page.