Episode 1: Organization *The scene opens in bounty headquarters, a rather large and messy room where various bounty hunters wander in and out. Satsuki is sitting in a dark corner with her computer Val, tapping and muttering; she has green eyes, shoulder-length black hair in a ponytail, with the bangs dyed rust-color, and is dressed in camouflage.* Satsuki: Un... Satsuki: Sou, Varu, sou... Val: *beeps* Satsuki: Sounda! Kanoe: *is standing near Satsuki, looking around at the other hunters suspiciously. She is very tall, with black hair cut in a bob, a rose over her ear, and ice blue eyes. She's wearing a skintight black tank top and tight black jeans, and is carrying a large rifle on her shoulder, with a few knives stuck in choice hidden hammerspace pockets around her body.* Kanoe: *looks over Satsuki's shoulder* Satsu-kun, what's going on? Satsuki: This destruction simulation turned out REALLY well! Satsuki: I mean, just LOOK at the way those bricks are falling... Kanoe: *sighs* I meant what's the latest bounty, why is everyone swarming around here... Satsuki: Oh, that... just a second. Satsuki: *taps at computer some more* Cade: *Comes in wearing khakis and a shirt. Is medium height with bright red hair to his shoulders and yellow eyes.* Cade: What’s going on? Satsuki: Well, there's one for an unidentified hacker... Kanoe: *looks at Cade* Who are you? Cade: I'm Cade... Cade: *looks around* Hmm, looks like the right place... Kanoe: You're new at this, aren't you? Cade: Yes. Cade: Who are you? Kanoe: My name is Kanoe. Kanoe: This is my partner, Satsuki. *jerks her head in Satsuki's direction* Cade: Okay. Cade: I was looking for her. Kanoe: *eyes narrow* For what? Cade: None of your business. Kanoe: *steps forward* If it's my partner, it's my business. Cade: Run along and find something to kill while I talk to your partner. Kanoe: *growls* Look, buddy. Looking for my partner is fine. Insulting me by calling me a mere killer is not. Not if you don't want me to split you in two. Cade: I will talk to her and her alone. I don't care what you do as long as you leave! Kanoe: I'm not leaving. Kanoe: So get over it. Kanoe: *sits down squarely next to Satsuki* Cade: *glares at her quietly* Kanoe: *begins inspecting her gun, ignoring his glare and humming to herself quietly* Satsuki: *still tapping at keyboard* Satsuki: *looks up* Oh! Cade! Satsuki: *conversation belatedly registers with her* Kanoe, it's okay. Satsuki: Do you mind leaving for a minute? Cade: Finally! Kanoe: *growls at him* Don't be so happy, buddy... No matter what she thinks, I don't trust someone til they earn it. *moves to the other end of the room, ignoring all the other bounty hunters* Satsuki: Don't worry about her, she's always like that. Satsuki: So, I guess you meant what you said online. Cade: How pleasant... Wha? Oh, yes. Kanoe: *"argues" with a male bounty hunter about his level of intelligence* Satsuki: *sweatdrops* Cade: If you help me, I will give you half of the reward. Satsuki: You're a rookie. I want sixty-five percent. Cade: Fine, but SHE isn't coming. Satsuki: Sorry, but that's not really an option. Satsuki: If I tried to leave her behind, she'd just follow along and screw things up. Satsuki: So she comes, but she doesn't get paid. Cade: ... Fine. Satsuki: Since that's agreed, I've been researching the bounty. Kanoe: *glaring across the room, wishes Cade wasn't blocking her view so she could read Satsuki's lips* Satsuki: No one knows his name - he is known only as "the boss." Satsuki: He runs the largest gang in this city. Kanoe: *is tapping her foot impatiently* Satsuki: He's supposed to be a really good martial artist, but won't touch a gun - big weakness right there. Satsuki: I've got a list of places he's been seen... *hands him a printout* Cade: *reads it* Kanoe: *shifting her gun from hand to hand, is ready to shoot something if they don't finish it up soon* Cade: It's not a weakness when he has a gang surrounding him... Satsuki: True. Satsuki: I thought that the Chinese restaurant would probably be the best place to start. Cade: I guess so. Kanoe: *shifts her gun to her right hand and begins fiddling with her rose with her left hand* Satsuki: *calling to Kanoe* You can come back now, we're done. Kanoe: *shoves the rose back to its original place and and stalks over* Finally. Val: *beeps at Satsuki again* Satsuki: Un - just a minute, Varu... Kanoe: *glares at Cade* Satsuki: Kanoe, Cade and I are going after a bounty. Satsuki: You can come, but you won't get paid. This is our deal. Kanoe: Fine. Satsuki: Well, no time like the present... Kanoe: *glares at Cade some more* Cade: *ignores her* Kanoe: Where are we going? Satsuki: To get Chinese. Satsuki: *deals with the beeping Val, then folds him up and puts him in her bag* Let's go. Kanoe: *grins* All right... Cade: OK. Satsuki: *walks out the door, heading for the restaurant* Cade: *follows* Kanoe: *follows, smiling to herself* *They arrive at a medium-size, tastefully decorated Chinese restaurant.* Satsuki: Here we are. Kanoe: *looks around appreciatively* Nice place... Kanoe: A patron or the owner? Satsuki: I believe he's the owner, actually... Satsuki: It was mostly hearsay, though. Satsuki: No one knows much about him. Kanoe: Ah. Kanoe: Nice... Satsuki: Very. Satsuki: *waits to be seated* Kanoe: *has hidden her gun in one of her hammerspace pockets* Hostess: This way, please... Satsuki *follows her, sits down at the indicated table* Hostess: *gives them each a menu* Your waiter will be here shortly. Satsuki: Thank you. Hostess: *walks back to the reception desk* Satsuki: *takes Val out and begins tapping again* Kanoe: *surveys the menu* Oh, good, green tea... Satsuki: *distracted* That's nice... Satsuki: Iya, Varu, that's not it.. Satsuki: There's a better one, I know it... Satsuki: *taps and mutters* Cade: *doesn't look at the menu, just sits there quietly with his eyes closed* Kanoe: *waits for waiter so she can get green tea* Satsuki: Sou! That's a good one. Tetsuya: *steps out of the kitchen* Kanoe: *looks over the selection for dessert, skipping dinner completely* Tetsuya: *looks around, doesn't see anything he can identify as an immediate threat, and walks through* Satsuki: ^-^V! Satsuki: Got him! Cade: ? Satsuki: That's our man, right there. *points at Tetsuya* Kanoe: Ho hum... I want some green tea... Kanoe: *since she isn't allowed to do anything, doesn't care that much* Tetsuya: *keeps walking, doesn't notice* Tetsuya: *is a very pretty, innocent-looking young man of about twenty-five* Cade: Really? I would think he would keep a lower profile... Satsuki: *suddenly starstruck* *.* Ooh... purty... Kanoe: Isn't he, though... Cade: Very... Kanoe: *puts a napkin to her mouth and starts coughing violently* Tetsuya: *catches the tail end of that conversation, goes "0.0!!!" inwardly* Tetsuya: *walks out the door and disappears* Satsuki: Come on, one of us has to follow him. Cade: I will... Satsuki: Okay. We'll stay and order food, then follow you... Cade: *gets up and follows Tetsuya* Kanoe: *wants green tea* ;.; Satsuki: Go ahead and get tea, Kanoe. Satsuki: *orders some kung pao chicken* Kanoe: *grabs a waiter* I don't care who you are, get me some green tea! Waiter: Yes, miss... *sweatdrops, goes to get her some* Cade: *follows Tetsuya through the street* Tetsuya: *notices his tail, disappears immediately* Satsuki: *eating her chicken* I hope Cade does all right - he is pretty new at this, after all. Cade: *stops and looks around, wondering where Tetsuya went* Tetsuya: *is now three streets away* Kanoe: Hmph. Kanoe: Rookies. Waiter: *gives Kanoe her tea* Kanoe: *drinks it slowly* Cade: *growls and goes back to the restaurant* Satsuki: *looks up and sees Cade* Satsuki: Lose him already? Satsuki: That was fast. Kanoe: Either a rookie has dumb luck and manages to survive, or they don't and get themselves killed. Cade: *sits down* Satsuki: Hey, we were rookies too, once. Kanoe: *sips her tea some more* And we had dumb luck. Satsuki That's true... *smiles at the memories, pats Val* Val: *beeps appreciatively* Cade: I usually have my dumb luck to fall back on. Kanoe I can't count how many times I almost kicked it before I got wise. Satsuki: Sou... Satsuki: Well, let's finish eating, and then we can try another spot. Kanoe: Sou da yo. Satsuki: *pulls out the list again* Kanoe: *finishes her tea* :d Satsuki: Hmmm... how about this one? *points at a name on the list* Kanoe: *looks* Ooh, that place's dangerous... Kanoe: All the girls are armed. Kanoe: And they're vicious too... Satsuki: I don't know how a pretty thing like him manages to survive there. Satsuki: Cade? You have an opinion? Cade: He was heading north... What’s in that direction? Satsuki: *looks at list* Uh... Satsuki: Well, the place we were just talking about, actually. Cade: Okay. Satsuki: I guess that means we should go for it. Kanoe: I heard he was celibate... Satsuki: *sniggers* With a face like that? Satsuki: Never. Kanoe: But do you think he would sleep with one of them? Kanoe: They're a bit... below him, wouldn't you say? Cade: Wouldn't stop most men... Satsuki: *pulls out several beautiful but heavy-duty knives from her bag, places them around her person* Satsuki: *sniggers again* You never know. Satsuki: Crime lords are the weirdest people. Kanoe: You're not think what I think you're thinking, are you? Kanoe: Because if you are, count me in! Satsuki: ^__________^ Satsuki: *packs Val up again* Satsuki: All right, then - let's go! Cade: ??? Satsuki: *smiles evilly* Kanoe: *looks at Cade* If you value your sanity, don't ask. Cade: Fine... Satsuki: Sou! Kanoe: *follows Satsuki, also smirking a bit evilly* Cade: *follows* Satsuki: *walks to the violent place mentioned, which is a lesbian raver hangout* Kanoe: *looks at Cade again* You'd better stay here... Cade: Fine... Satsuki: *looks at Cade speculatively* Wait a minute... Cade: ? Satsuki: I think I can do something... *pulls out heavy-duty makeup kit* Kanoe: *really not concerned for Cade's safety, just doesn't want his blood all over her clothes* Satsuki: *starts applying stuff to Cade's face* Cade: Hey! Kanoe: *rolls her eyes* That won't change anything *important*, Satsu-kun... Satsuki: You can't go in there LOOKING like a guy, Cade. Satsuki: Now hold still... Satsuki: *finishes* Cade: *mutters* Satsuki: *has made Cade into a butch yet not unattractive woman* Satsuki: That should do it, especially with the lighting in there. Kanoe: *rolls her eyes* Kanoe: Hey, it's his head... Satsuki: Come on, let's go in. Kanoe: *goes inside* Cade: *follows muttering angrily* Satsuki: *goes in, too, clutching Val's bag protectively* *Inside is a huge room filled with weird-smelling smoke, flashing trippy lights, and LOTS of girls.* Kanoe: *has been here before, sees a few people she knows* Satsuki: 0.0! *hugs bag tighter* Kanoe: *coughs a few times, although whether at the smoke or the girls is hard to tell* Cade: He would stick out here... Kanoe: Unless he's disguised too, dummy. Kanoe: Don't think like such a rookie! Tetsuya: *is standing in the back, speaking with an extraordinarily well-endowed woman* Tetsuya: *not disguised by anything other than the clouds of smoke and the lights* Kanoe: *recognizes the woman* Satsuki: *peers around, completely lost* Kanoe: Hey! *waves her hands at the woman* Hey, Kisha! Kisha: Hey! Hanako-chan! Kisha: I haven't seen you in ages! Kisha: *goes up to her and gives her a big hug* Kanoe: My job's been keeping me away... How're things with you? Satsuki: 0.0!!! Cade: *stands there, looking around* Kisha: Great, just great! Kisha: I was just taking care of some business, didn't mean to ignore you. Tetsuya: *recognizes the three, fades further back into the smoke* Kanoe: *smiles* Still got this weird smoke fetish, hmm? Kisha: ^-^;;; You bet. Kisha: The other girls all love it, too. Kisha: It makes everything all - more - you know, mysterious and junk. Satsuki: 0.0!!! Kanoe: I guess I just don't fit in anywhere... *mock-melancholy* Kisha: Aw, Hanako-chan, you're always welcome here... *hugs her again* Kanoe: Thanks, Kisha. Satsuki: *still wide-eyed* Cade - let's go look around - um - some other place, okay? Cade: ? Kisha: *looks at them* Your friends leaving so soon? Kanoe: They're new at this kind of thing, I think it's making them nervous... Kisha: Yeah, it really shows. Kisha: So, what does bring you back? Satsuki: *grabs Cade and drags him away from Kanoe and Kisha* Cade: Hey! As long as I'm here I want to look around. Satsuki *starts circulating through the crowds* Satsuki: You can look HERE - just - um - just not THERE! *points back at Kanoe and Kisha* Satsuki: *really freaked out* Cade: O_o Kanoe: Actually, I'm here on business... Kisha: Hey, you know me. Kisha: I'm not some kind of bounty helper. Kanoe: Well, it wasn't my idea... Satsuki: *looks around for the boss* Cade: *follows* Kisha: Oh - your friends? Kisha: That one could do a LOT better with her makeup, I can tell you that much. Tetsuya: *still waiting in the smoke* Kanoe: *sweatdrops* My partner and this rookie decided to gang up on me and look for it by themselves, and I decided to come along to make sure they didn't get hurt or anything. Tetsuya: *interested in bounty hunters who've gotten so close to him* Cade: *passes by him but doesn't notice in the smoke* Kanoe: They're not even giving me any of the bounty... Kisha: Aw, I'm sorry... Kanoe: *mock-tears* I'm penniless... Kisha: ;.; *gives her a penny* Kanoe: *laughs* Kisha: ^____^ Kanoe: You've got the strangest sense of humor, Kisha... Kisha: I do my best, just like I always have. Satsuki: Oh, man... Satsuki: I guess he isn't here after all... Cade: Guess not. Kanoe: So who's that handsome young fellow you were talking to before? Kisha: *looks shifty* Kanoe: *didn't recognize him* Kisha: Well... Kanoe: *shrugs* Aww, you don't have to tell me. Kisha: It's hard to get the right kind of smoke through legal channels, after all... Satsuki: Let's go get Kanoe and get OUT OF HERE! Cade: O_o Why are you so nervous? Kanoe: *nods, understanding* Kisha: ^-^;;; You're a good one, Hanako, and that's hard to find around here. Kanoe: He's a pretty one. Finally given up on us poor girls, Kisha? Kisha: No, no... Kisha: Just business, like I said. Satsuki: *whispering to Cade* Last time I was here, some girl thought I was trying to steal her sweetheart, and they BOTH knifed me. Cade: Ouch. Satsuki: ;.; And neither of them were even pretty. Kanoe: *bows* Why, thank you... Hopefully I'll be able to come back another time *without* any business to attend to... Kisha: *bows* Please, any time! Kisha: *hugs her again* I miss you, ya know. Kanoe: The feeling's mutual, believe me. Kanoe: I'd better find my friends before they get into trouble... Satsuki: *pops up beside her* Couldn't find him! Satsuki: Can we go? Huh? Can we? Kanoe: Calm yourself... Kisha: ^-^;;; Kanoe: Yeah, let's go. Kanoe: *waves to Kisha as she steers the very nervous Satsuki away* Satsuki: *disappears out the door, leaving behind a streak of smoke* Cade: *walks up* You could always stay here while we go look. Kanoe: As tempting as the offer is, I still don't trust you. Kanoe: So let's go. Kanoe: *follows Satsuki* Tetsuya: *goes back to Kisha* Cade: *follows* Where are we going anyways? Kanoe: Not like I know... Satsuki: HOME! Satsuki: It's getting late. Kanoe: *shrugs* Doesn't bother me... Tetsuya *to Kisha* You know her. Kisha: She's an old friend. Tetsuya: I gathered. And she is a bounty hunter? Satsuki: Yes, but I have LOTS of stuff to do! Satsuki: Cade, you want to just come over for the night? Satsuki: We'll start again tomorrow morning, early! Kisha: Yes. But she makes it a point not to hunt any of my customers. Tetsuya: Good. Cade: I'll keep looking... Satsuki: Okay! Cade: First I'm going to wash off the makeup... Kanoe: I'm going to keep looking too. Kanoe: Satsu-kun, can I have the list? Satsuki: Sure. *hands it over* Satsuki: *heads home* Tetsuya: If she shows up again - with her friends - tell me. Kisha: Hai. Cade: -.- This isn't your search. Go home. Kanoe: It's my search if it's my partner's search. Tetsuya: As long as that is understood - you may have the advance on the rent. Tetsuya: But you will pay as soon as you can. Kisha: Of course. Tetsuya: Good. Tetsuya: *disappears again* Kisha: *goes back to tending her customers* Cade: -.- Give me the list. Satsuki: *at home, takes Val out and begins working* Kanoe: And she's quit, so I'll take her place, sans computer. Kanoe: I don't want the money or anything stupid like that. Cade: I wasn't offering you anything. Kanoe: I didn't say you were. Kanoe: I said I don't want the money. Kanoe: I mostly want to keep it fair. Satsuki: *taps and mutters* Tetsuya: *has returned to his office in the restaurant* Kanoe: What's to stop you from catching this guy - though I doubt you will - on your own and saying Satsu-kun didn't help at all, and taking the money for yourself? Cade: Your partner can have all the money for all I care. Kanoe: Sure. Cade Maybe not all of it, I need a little... Tetsuya: *sends Joker out to the bounty hunter office with descriptions of the three to get information* Kanoe: *checks the list* Ya know, Satsu-kun can be a little too stealthy sometimes... Cade: ? Satsuki: Un... sou, Varu, sou... Kanoe: I think we should go to the restaurant and ask him if he wants us to catch him, or if he just wants to give us money and send us on our way. Kanoe: Sometimes you can get more money that way. Satsuki: Varu, dame yo! It has to be like THIS! Kanoe: Or we could sneak into his place and look for information that we can sell to his enemies... Cade: You can do that but I'll still catch him. Kanoe: *rolls her eyes* Tetsuya: *sits in his office, staring at the Mt. Kouya wallscroll and thinking* Satsuki: HA! Sou yo, Varu! Kanoe: Sure you will. Kanoe: You think you can? Kanoe: You were the one that lost him before. Cade: If you’re finished telling me how a rookie can't do anything, then I would like to go look for him. Kanoe: I didn't say you couldn't do anything. Kanoe: I said you did an awful job of tailing him before. Satsuki: *keeps working, tapping, and muttering - well, less muttering and more talking out loud freely* Kanoe: Most likely he went back to the restaurant. Kanoe: So let's go there. Cade: Fine. It’s as good a place as any. Satsuki: VARU! SORE JA NAI YO! Satsuki: KORE! KORE! Satsuki: KONO PUROGURAMU DA! Cade: *walks back towards the restaurant* Kanoe: *walks back with him* Joker: *still at the bounty hunter office, researching* Satsuki: Un, un... Un, sou desu... Cade: *looks around the restaurant* Not down here... Tetsuya: *beginning to feel restless, like leaving might be a good idea* Kanoe: *crosses her arms and waits for him to do something* Cade: *goes outside to the back of the restaurant* Satsuki: Hmmm... omoshiroi, ne, Varu? Satsuki: Someone's been asking questions about us at the office... Kanoe: *follows him* Cade: *goes in the back into the kitchen full of cooks* Tetsuya: *gets up suddenly and leaves the office* Cade: Hmm... Tetsuya: *walks into the kitchen and sees Cade* Cade: *looks towards Tetsuya* Kanoe: *has followed, but done nothing* Tetsuya: *carefully walks through the kitchen, giving off "ignore me" rays* Kanoe: *stealing bites to eat without anyone noticing* Tetsuya: *gives away no signs of being guilty of anything* Cade: *looking around kitchen, not noticing Tetsuya* Tetsuya: *disappears out the back* Cade: See anything? Satsuki: Hmmm... *looks at descriptions of the person asking questions* Kanoe: *mouth full* Nyope. Val: *beeps* Satsuki: Un... sounds familiar to me, too. Cade: *goes into Tetsuya’s office* Kanoe: *follows* Tetsuya: *goes to the bounty hunter office to meet with Joker* Kanoe: *looks around in Tetsuya's office, admires the wallscroll* Good taste in art... Cade: -.- *looks through stuff* There isn't much here... Val: *beeps some more* Satsuki: Un... just a minute, let me get some different clothes. Satsuki: *changes into non-camouflage outfit, packs up Val, and leaves for the bounty office* Cade: Let’s go... Kanoe: *shrugs* It's your show. Kanoe: *follows him out* Tetsuya: *finds Joker* What have you learned? Joker: Uh - not a whole lot, boss. Joker: They aren't real sociable people, these kind. Cade: Let’s stop for the night... Kanoe: Right. Kanoe: *leads the way back to her and Satsuki's apartment* Joker: Pretty much all I got was that the red-haired one is new, but the other two are real experienced. Cade: Where do I sleep? Kanoe: Hmm... Tetsuya: And? Joker: Um... Well, apparently the computer girl and the guy worked it out together, and the rose girl isn't getting paid. Tetsuya: Well... Tetsuya: It's better than nothing, I suppose. Kanoe: There's my room and Satsuki's room. Cade: OK... Tetsuya: *leaves, with Joker following him back to the restaurant* Satsuki: *runs into them right outside the office* 0.0!!! Kanoe: Either I move in with her and you take mine, or she moves in with me and you take hers. Cade: I'll just take the floor. Kanoe: Fine, if you like roaches crawling on you. Joker: Hey! Boss! There's the computer one! Tetsuya: I noticed. Cade: *shrugs* Kanoe: Be my guest. Cade: But I do need a blanket and pillow. Val: *beeps frantically* Joker: You want we should do something now? Kanoe: *Opens the door of her room and leaves it open. Rummages in her closet, which also passes for the linen closet.* Satsuki: *now scared of Joker, starts running away* Tetsuya: *grabs her computer bag* Satsuki: WAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!! VAL!!!! *tries to kick Tetsuya* Cade: *takes out several hidden guns and sets them next to where he is sleeping* Kanoe: *brushes past a tray of roses that are growing on a desk near the door as she comes out again* Here. Kanoe: *gives him a thick quilt and a big fluffy pillow* Tetsuya: *blocks easily* This is not called for. Tetsuya: Calm down for one minute. Joker: Yeah, I won't do anythin'. Cade: *mumbles a thanks as he takes them* Cade: Where’s your partner? Satsuki: *hugs her bag tightly and gives them a distrustful look* Kanoe: *Goes back to her room, but doesn't bother to close the door. Slowly places the rose behind her ear on the desk next to the others.* Tetsuya: You and your friends were following me earlier. Why? Satsuki: You have a huge bounty on your head. Duh. Joker: Hey, that's been up for years! Joker: Why'd ya go after it now? Kanoe: *takes out her gun and various knives and puts them on a rack next to her bed* Kanoe: *sits down at her desk, brings out her own laptop computer and turns it on, begins typing a letter* Satsuki: Well, there was this guy online... Joker: 9.9 Ain't that always the way... Satsuki: -.- MY story. Cade: *lays down and stares at the ceiling* Kanoe: *out loud* "Dear Megumi," Satsuki: Anyway, he wanted to go after you really bad, and he seemed to show some promise, so we decided to work together. Satsuki: My usual partner agreed to come along, and that's all there is to it. Tetsuya: I see. Tetsuya: Will you allow me to look at your computer for a moment? Satsuki: *hugs bag tighter* NO! NEVER! YOU'LL NEVER TOUCH MY VAL!! Joker: 9.9 Tetsuya: 9.9 *twists the bag out of her grip easily* Satsuki: ;.;!!!!! VAL!!! Tetsuya: *opens the computer* Val: *beeps angrily* Tetsuya: Don't be rude. *taps* Val: *makes apologetic sound* Tetsuya: *taps for another minute* Kanoe: "Things here are hectic. My partner is working on a temporary job with a kid. The roaches are getting bolder. How are things where you are? Are the kids okay? How's Keiichi? I wish I could see you, but my work doesn't permit it. Maybe we can get together at Christmas." Tetsuya: I see... Tetsuya: Well, that won't be a problem. Val: *beeps eagerly* Tetsuya: Yes, thank you. *closes Val and hands it back to Satsuki* Kanoe: "Yes, I do still care about you. I send money, don't I? Just kidding. Hopefully, I WILL come to visit. With presents for the kids, too! Love, your imouto-chan, Komori Hanako." Satsuki: *hugs Val* ;-;!!!!!! Tetsuya: You may go. Joker: Jeez, that was quick. Kanoe: *closes her laptop, turns off her bedside light, and closes the bedroom door* Cade: ... Kanoe: *sounds of getting ready for bed can be heard* Joker: Well, nice talking to you. Tetsuya: Good-bye. *disappears with Joker in tow* Satsuki: *heading back towards the apartment* @.@ Well, that was weird, wasn't it, Val? Val: *beeps* Satsuki: But the way you behaved - SHAMEFUL, Val, SHAMEFUL! Val: *beeps sadly* Satsuki: No, I WON'T drop it! Satsuki: After the way you acted - ooooooohh...! Satsuki: *walks in the door of the apartment, slamming it* Cade: *sits up* Kanoe: *hears slam, opens door to her room, in her lingerie* Satsu-kun? Satsuki: Hi. Kanoe: What's wrong? Satsuki: Well, you'll NEVER believe who I ran into outside the office. Cade: ? Kanoe: George Washington? Satsuki: 9.9 Satsuki: No, the Pope. Kanoe: Oh. Did you say hi? Cade: ... Satsuki: Actually, it was our erstwhile quarry and his sidekick. Satsuki: *takes Val out and puts it on the table -.#!!!!!!!! Val: *makes a little scared beep* Kanoe: Oh really? Kanoe: Did you say hi? Satsuki: Yes! Really! And no! Cade: Tetsuya?! *jumps up in his "small clothes"* Satsuki: Tetsuya? Don't know a Tetsuya. This was the boss. Kanoe: *shrugs* Well, unless you're planning to go out and look again, I'm going to bed. Satsuki: He TOOK my computer - and then he USED it! Cade: Umm, yeah... Val: *beeps* Kanoe: *gasps in all seriousness* Kanoe: He DIDN'T! Satsuki: And this little cyberwimp didn't even TRY to resist! Cade: ??? Kanoe: VAL?! Val: *shows little graphic of a crying face* Satsuki: What OTHER computer do I carry?! Cade: What happened? Kanoe: Oh, Val, how could you? Kanoe: *looks stricken* Val: *keeps showing crying graphic* Satsuki: He just wanted to know why I was coming after him. Cade: And Val told him? Satsuki: So I said that I was working with another guy who was interested in catching him, and that Kanoe was along for the ride. Kanoe: Always. Satsuki: I don't know WHAT Val told him - that's what I'm going to find out now... -.-!!! Val: *still has the crying graphic up* Kanoe: *shakes her head* When Val betrays Satsu-kun, the world is gonna end... Satsuki: *sits down and taps* Satsuki: Ara? Satsuki: *taps some more* Satsuki: Demo... orooooo... @.@ Satsuki: *keeps tapping* Satsuki: No - sense... Kanoe: *Goes back into her room; sounds of printing can be heard. About a minute later she comes out with a sealed envelope.* Satsuki, can you mail this for me tomorrow? Kanoe: *sounds all mysterious and confidential* Satsuki: Just a sec... Satsuki: Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. Satsuki: *used to mysterious envelopes* Kanoe: Thanks. Satsuki: *still tapping* Orooooo... Kanoe: *disappears back into her room and erases the letter she wrote earlier from her hard drive* Satsuki: This - this doesn't make any sense! Cade: ??? Kanoe: *comes back out, still in her lingerie, and peers over Satsuki's shoulder* What doesn't? Satsuki: He didn't delete anything or mess with anything! Cade: *peers over her other shoulder* Satsuki: He just looked at the list of places I'd been online over the last couple of days... Cade: What’s so important about that? Satsuki: Nothing that I can think of... Val: *beeps wistfully* Satsuki: *pats Val absently* Okay, okay, you're forgiven this time. Satsuki: But DON'T DO IT AGAIN! Kanoe: *shrugs* As you said before, crime lords are weird... Satsuki: Yeah. Satsuki: Let's find him again tomorrow, okay? Satsuki: I'm tired, and he scared me. Cade: ’Kay. Satsuki: *yawns, heads to her room* Cade: *thinking out loud* I wonder who Megumi is... Kanoe: *looks at him sharply* Don't talk about it. Satsuki: Wait - Cade, are you sleeping out on the floor? Cade: Yes. Satsuki: Here, take my bed. Cade: No, I'm fine. Satsuki: -.# Take it. Kanoe: *glances at Satsuki and wonders if she heard Cade* Kanoe: *hopes not* Satsuki: *too tired and freaked by Tetsuya, didn't hear a thing* Satsuki: Kanoe, can I sleep with you and not worry about being taken advantage of? Kanoe: Of course! Kanoe: *looks offended* Cade: *laughs* Kanoe: I only take advantage of people who WANT to be taken advantage of! Satsuki: Good. *yawns again and grabs some pajamas out of her room before going into Kanoe's* Kanoe: *closes the door, then goes over to Cade* Don't you dare mention Megumi to her or anyone else, or so help me you'll wish you'd never been born. Cade: Why? Satsuki: *changes, collapses into bed and falls asleep* Val: *beeps a lonely little beep to itself, then shuts down* Kanoe: *looks threatening and a little scared* Just don't. Kanoe: *opens the door to her room, goes in, then closes it* Kanoe: *mutters* She's such a bed hog... *nudges Satsuki over so she can at least climb into the bed, let alone get any covers* Cade: *sighs, then gathers his stuff and goes to Satsuki's room* Satsuki: Nnnn... iya... watashi no konpyuutaa... Satsuki: Anta no mono ja nai yo... Satsuki: *turns over* Kanoe: *shakes her head affectionately* Silly girl. *goes to sleep* Satsuki: Nnnn... watashi no Varu... *goes all the way back to sleep* Cade: *lays down staring at the ceiling again* Time: *glares at Satsuki and flies huffily* Kanoe: *wakes up with a start* I DIDN'T TOUCH - nn? Satsuki: *already awake and fixing tea in the kitchen* Satsuki: *is an early morning person* Kanoe: *opens her eyes and looks around* Oh... Kanoe: Man... Kanoe: *grabs a towel and heads for the shower* Kanoe: *wishes they had such a thing as "hot water" as she takes a cold shower* Satsuki: Cade-san! What do you want for breakfast? Cade: *comes in the front door fully dressed* Nothing. Kanoe: *finishes quickly, wraps herself in a towel and heads back to her room, whistling "Tactics"* Satsuki: But we have biscuits, and eggs, and cereal, and all kinds of good breakfast stuff... Satsuki: *is making herself an omelette* Cade: I already ate... Satsuki: Oh, all right... Kanoe: *yells through her door as she gets dressed* Did you make me some tea, Satsu-kun? Satsuki: Hai, hai... Satsuki: *pours the tea into a mug and sets it at Kanoe's place* Kanoe: *comes out wearing a skintight red fake leather bodysuit* Thanks! Kanoe: *sits down and sips the tea* Ah... Kanoe: Much better than coffee. Satsuki: No prob. *starts eating her omelette* Cade: O.O;;;; Kanoe: *eats cereal* Satsuki: So, anyone got any bright ideas about catching the boss this morning? Satsuki: 'Cuz I have to tell you, he gave me the creeps. Kanoe: *looks at Cade slyly, in a good mood* So where were YOU, hmm? Kanoe: Off "gathering information" somewhere? Satsuki: *pokes her* Cade: -.- Kanoe: What? Kanoe: That's usually where I am when I go out at night. Satsuki: Slyness+Kanoe=innuendoes. Val: *beeps in agreement* Kanoe: You better believe it! Kanoe: *sips her tea* Satsuki: So, like I asked - ideas, anyone? Kanoe: Hn. Well, unless you want me to drug him, I doubt I'll be of much help anyway... Satsuki: Hold that thought, you never know. Satsuki: Cade? Cade: He probably knows we were at his office, so won't go back... Kanoe: *mutters* I got the roses, I got my gun, and I got my looks. Aside from normal stealth and martial arts, that's about it... Satsuki: Yeah, a guy like that would definitely notice. Val: *beeps at her* Kanoe: *sips tea* Kanoe: Good tea. Satsuki: No, Val, I don't think that list will work any more. Satsuki: I'm sure he's figured it out. Kanoe: *sips more tea* So should I get the roses, just in case? Satsuki: Yeah, good idea. Satsuki: We could try one of the more obscure places... *knock at the door* Cade: *opens it* Tetsuya: *standing there* Good morning. Cade: O.O!!! Kanoe: *jumps up, instantly has a rose in hand* Tetsuya: You are Cade? Satsuki: 0.0!!! *hides Val* Cade: *has gun in hand and pointing at him* Yeah. Kanoe: *ready to throw the razor-sharp flower at him if necessary* Tetsuya: *takes away the gun effortlessly and puts it in his personal hammerspace* Cade: *has another* Tetsuya: *takes that one away as well* Tetsuya: I came to speak with Satsuki-san again, but you will do. Kanoe: *points at Satsuki* You mean her? Satsuki: ;.;!!! No! Go away! You're a figment of my imagination! Tetsuya: Yes. Kanoe: You are a figment of her imagination? Kanoe: Wow... How come we can see you then? Tetsuya: *sweatdrops* No, I meant that she was the one I wanted to speak with again. Tetsuya: You are Kanoe? Kanoe: Yeah, that's me. Satsuki: ;.;!!!! WAH! GO AWAAAAAY! Val: *beeps frantically* Tetsuya: *still sweatdropping* I have no designs on your computer. Kanoe: Go ahead and kill the rookie and me, I don't care. Just don't hurt Satsu-kun. Cade: *Glares at him quietly. Hand twitches as if he wanted to hit him.* Satsuki: *hugs Val* GOOD! Satsuki: THEN GO AWAY ALREADY! Tetsuya: I did not come to kill anyone. I wanted to talk with the young man. Kanoe: Good. Kanoe: Talk with him. Kanoe: Me and Satsu-kun will give you your privacy. Tetsuya: Thank you. Cade: What do you want to talk about? Tetsuya: I have a vested interest in anyone who not only wants me dead, but was able to get as close as you three did last night. Kanoe: *grabs Satsuki and goes into her room* Satsuki: *still hugging Val* Kanoe: *closes the door* Tetsuya: Well, I would like to know why you want me dead. Kanoe: *grabs her own laptop and turns it on* Kanoe: *starts playing games* Satsuki: *hugs Val and talks to it reassuringly* Kanoe: *turns on "Tactics," English version* Cade: Well, you do have a large bounty on you Tetsuya: That hardly seems to be the only reason. Tetsuya: And I could pay much better than that bounty, anyway. Tetsuya: I'm not sure if I will yet or not, but I can. *"Tactics" finishes, and on comes "Beautiful Alone."* Cade: -.- Maybe I just want to make a name for myself. Tetsuya: Another acceptable reason, but not the real one. Tetsuya: You do show promise - I could offer you a good place in my organization and a high probability of quick advancement. Tetsuya: But I have a feeling you wouldn't accept... Cade: *has new gun in his hand, out of Tetsuya’s reach* Tetsuya: *looks at it* Satsuki: It's okay, Val... I won't let him get near you this time, I promise... Val: *beeps* Satsuki: Yeah, me too. Kanoe: *turns the games off, leaves the music on and begins tending her roses, talking to them lovingly as she prunes and waters them* Cade: Now. Put your hands in the air. Tetsuya: *doesn't* Tetsuya: I don't think Satsuki and Kanoe would like to have a large hole blown into their living room. Satsuki: Still... Roses: *don't show any real reaction except for the fact that they bloom beautifully all year round* Val: *questioning beep* Satsuki: He was kinda sad, too, wasn't he? Kanoe: *hums along to "Beautiful Alone," thinks about how true the song is* Val: *beeps* Satsuki: I dunno... Satsuki: Just kind of - lost, or something. I'm not good at that kind of thing. Val: *beeps in agreement with both parts* Cade: They can pay with the bounty for repairs. Tetsuya: Very well. *falls to one side, is behind Cade before he can blink and takes this gun away, too* Tetsuya: Now, Kai Shindo, we can talk. Kanoe: He's in pain. Kanoe: *speaking quietly* Satsuki: ?.? Val: *another questioning beep* Cade: How do you know my name?! Kanoe: He's lost something dear to him and it hurts him. Kanoe: *knows the feeling* Tetsuya: The organization has long arms, Kai. Tetsuya: I can know whatever I need to know. Tetsuya: But only you can tell me why you want me dead. Cade: *backs away from Tetsuya and has a new gun out* Cade: *last gun* Satsuki: Oh... Val: *beeps sadly* Kanoe: *quietly continues pruning and watering the roses, murmuring softly to them* Tetsuya: Stop playing, Kai, and answer my question. Satsuki: *works on Val, for once not muttering while she thinks* Cade: -.- I'll kill you if you don't shut up and put your hands in the air. Tetsuya: Well, you can certainly try. Tetsuya: *moves to the other side and takes away the last gun* Cade: *screams in frustration and lunges at him* Tetsuya: *grabs Cade's arm and twists it up behind his back, almost to the breaking point* Satsuki: *looks at door questioningly* Cade: *struggles weakly* Tetsuya: *now standing behind Cade, keeping a firm grip* Answer my question, and this game will end. Tetsuya: You'll never see me or hear from me again. Tetsuya: Now - why do you want me dead? Cade: I... will... kill you!!! *screaming* Satsuki: *worried* Val? Think we should do something? Val: *beeps* Satsuki: That's true. Satsuki: *keeps working* Kanoe: *finishes with her roses and sits down on her bed, nervously playing with her short hair* Tetsuya: You'll have your chance. Answer first. Satsuki: Kanoe? Do you think...? Kanoe: Hn? Satsuki: Well... *gestures at door* Tetsuya: *twists Kai's arm a little farther* Answer. Kanoe: He wanted to kill the man. It's his fight. Satsuki: Sou ne... Satsuki: *keeps working, occasionally giving the door nervous glances* Kanoe: *sits nervously, still playing with her hair* Val: *beeps sadly again* Kanoe: Do you think we'll be able to mail that letter today? *very nervous* Satsuki: Yeah... Kanoe: Good. Kanoe: I have to mail it by four... Satsuki: Don't worry... Satsuki: It'll be fine... Val: *gives a reassuring beep* Kanoe: I hope so... Cade: I was going to marry a bounty hunter... but three weeks before the wedding, you killed him because he was after one of your 'friends.' I used his bounty hunter name and started looking for you... Tetsuya: I see. Tetsuya: *releases his arm* Tetsuya: *hands him back his guns* Here you go. Cade: *glares at him* Tetsuya: *turns around and walks out the door, slowly, so that Kai has an easy shot at his back* Cade: *shoots at him* Tetsuya: *is shot in the side* Tetsuya: *staggers, but continues walking out the door* Satsuki: *out of the room instantly* Satsuki: WHAT HAPPENED?! NANINANINANI?! Cade: *follows and shoots at him again* Kanoe: *winces - for probably the first time since Satsuki's known her - at the sound of the shots* Tetsuya: *shot in the back this time, collapses* Kanoe: *clutches her stomach and leans over like she's in pain, pants* Satsuki: KYA! Joker: *appearing from his waiting spot in the apartment building hall* BOSS!!! Kanoe: *grits her teeth* Can't... move... Joker: *grabs Tetsuya and tries to drag him away, glaring furiously at Satsuki and Kai* Satsuki: I didn't do it! I swear! Cade: *out of bullets with that gun* Kanoe: *complete deja vu* Joker: *can't even speak for anger* Kanoe: *manages to get up and stagger out of her room, towards Kai and Satsuki* Cade: *runs back in the room for another gun* Joker: *drags him completely away and disappears* Satsuki: *stands in the doorway so Kai can't leave and chase them* Kanoe: *reaches the door and blocks it, standing beside Satsuki* Cade: What are you doing?!?! He’s going to live!!! Satsuki: I don't know. Satsuki: But - but don't you DARE go out there again and try to shoot him or his sidekick. Cade: *points shaky gun at them* Satsuki: -.- And don't even THINK about shooting me. Kanoe: *looks and feels like hell* The past... isn't as important... as the future... Kanoe: *gasping for breath, feels like she's going to have a heart attack* Satsuki: *displays a throwing knife ostentatiously* Satsuki: E-chan? You okay? Kanoe: N- no... Cade: *points gun at them* Get out of the way or I'll kill you both. Satsuki: *turns to her, partially unblocking the door* E-chan, what's the matter? Satsuki: *completely ignoring Kai* Cade: *dashes for opening* Satsuki: *sticks out one leg and trips him* Kanoe *coughs weakly, leans on doorframe for support* Kanoe: Megumi... Cade: *smacks his head and lays still* Satsuki: E-chan?! What's wrong?! Satsuki: Who's Megumi? Kanoe: Megumi's going to die... Satsuki: What...? Kanoe: *falls to her knees, clutching her stomach and coughing* I can't... do anything... Satsuki: *hugs her* E-CHAN! Satsuki: E-CHAN! Satsuki: Tell me who to call! Satsuki: What should I do? Satsuki: E-CHAN! Kanoe: *murmurs a telephone number, then faints* Satsuki: *dashes for the phone, first calls 119 and asks them to come* Satsuki: *then calls the number* Cade: *groans and sits up* Pleasant, Female Voice(Mutsuki): Hello? Satsuki: *without looking around* You stay RIGHT THERE, Cade or Kai or whatever your name is... Yes? Satsuki: Is this Megumi? Mutsuki: *voice sounds sorrowful* I'm sorry... Megumi died years ago... Satsuki: *nearly drops phone* Mutsuki: Who is calling? Cade: What? Satsuki: I'm... Satsuki... Satsuki: Calling on behalf of Komori Hanako... Satsuki: Megumi's already dead? Satsuki: But... Mutsuki: Hanako? Hanako as in Megumi's younger sister? Mutsuki: I haven't heard from her for such a long time... Satsuki: I don't know, she never talked about her family... Satsuki: Who are you? Mutsuki: I'm Hanako's aunt, Mutsuki. 119 People: *arrive, begin trying to aid Kanoe* Satsuki: Oh... Cade: *moves out of the way* Satsuki: Well - uh - thank you... Mutsuki: Is Hanako okay? Satsuki: No. Mutsuki: *sounds concerned now* Mutsuki: What happened? Satsuki: She - she was having some kind of attack, like a heart attack or something, and then she fainted... Satsuki: There are people helping her right now. Mutsuki: Oh... Mutsuki: Did she send the letter yet? Satsuki: Letter? No... Satsuki: I was going to do that this afternoon... Satsuki: There was some - other stuff going on... Satsuki: *thinks about scene with Kai and Tetsuya, gets mad all over again* Mutsuki: Her mother always looks forward to Hanako's letters. Mutsuki: It's funny, though. Satsuki: What? Mutsuki: She never opens them. Satsuki: Oh... Mutsuki: She just goes out and puts them on Megumi's grave... Satsuki: Well, I'll - make sure to send it right off, then... Satsuki: *is starting to cry* Mutsuki: When she gets better, tell her to call us! Satsuki: I - I'll do that. Mutsuki: We do miss her very much... Cade: *to himself* She writes the letters to Megumi... Satsuki: I'd better go and - and help her... Satsuki: Um - bye. Mutsuki: Oh, yes. Mutsuki: Bye. Satsuki: *hangs up, beginning to really cry now* Oh, E-chan... Satsuki: You never told me... Satsuki: *goes over to the 119 people and Kanoe* Cade: *gets up* I'm sorry... Paramedic: *examining Kanoe* Satsuki: What's wrong with her? Satsuki: Will she be all right? Paramedic: Well... There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her. Paramedic: It seems like she just fainted. Paramedic: Although she did get a bad bump on the head when she hit the floor. Satsuki: ;-; Stupid E-chan, always has to be so dramatic... Satsuki: Will she wake up soon? Paramedic: Most likely. But just to make sure there isn't anything really severe, we'd better take her to the hospital. Satsuki: Okay - I'll be along in just a sec! Satsuki: Oh, and Cade - YOU'RE coming, too. Satsuki: *goes and grabs Val* Cade: What? Satsuki: You're coming. Satsuki: You're a part of this. Satsuki: Get your stuff and let's go! Paramedic: *with the help of other paramedics, puts her on one of the rolling bed thingies and carries her out on it* Satsuki: *follows with Val and a change of camouflage outfits* Cade: *picks up his guns and follows* Paramedic: *puts her in the ambulance and climbs in behind her* Satsuki: *hops in the ambulance* Cade: *follows her* Policemen: *arrive five minutes later and find nothing but pools of blood where Tetsuya was shot* Policemen: *decide to check with their witness again and leave* Paramedic: *calls for a doctor as he takes Kanoe to the ER* Satsuki: *goes and sits in the waiting room with Cade* Cade: *sits in chair in the waiting room* Paramedic: *talks to the doctor a little bit, then goes to the waiting room* The doctor wants to know exactly what happened when she fainted... Please follow me. Satsuki: Okay. Paramedic: *leads them to where a young female doctor is examining Kanoe* Satsuki: Can I help, doctor? Doctor: Exactly what happened before she fainted? Satsuki: Ara... Satsuki: *not sure exactly what to say* Cade: *quiet* Satsuki: Well - she was clutching at her stomach and coughing... Doctor: Did she cough up any blood? Satsuki: No. Doctor: Hmm... Satsuki: And she said her sister's name... she said her sister was dying and she couldn't do anything... Doctor: *raises an eyebrow* Hmm... Satsuki: But I called her family and they said her sister had been dead for years... *starts crying again* Cade: *pats her on the back uncertainly* Doctor: Oh, my... Satsuki: ;-; Thanks, Cade. Doctor: I think this is much more a psychological than it is a physical injury. Satsuki: *hopes the doctor doesn't want any more details* Satsuki: Oh... Satsuki: That's good, right? Doctor: She might have some internal bleeding, however, and we need to do an ultrasound just in case. Satsuki: Okay! Satsuki: *completely lost* Kanoe: *stirs slightly* Satsuki: E-CHAN! Satsuki: E-CHAN! SPEAK TO ME! Kanoe: *feels like she has a massive headache and stomach ache rolled into one* I... ta... i... Satsuki: E-chan! Don't worry, I'll get you some aspirin! Satsuki: And some tea! Satsuki: *to doctor* Where's the tea?! Satsuki: She loves tea! Satsuki: She needs some tea! Kanoe: *opens her eyes slightly* Satsu-kun...? Satsuki: Hai hai! *hugs her* Satsuki: I was so WORRIED! Cade: I'll go get some tea. Satsuki: Thank you, Cade! Doctor: *sweatdrops* Uhm... the cafeteria’s on the fourth floor... Cade: *leaves* Kanoe: *winces as she's hugged* Satsuki: *quickly lets go* GOMEN NE! Satsuki: Oh, E-chan, I was so WORRIED about you! Satsuki: I didn't know what was going on! Kanoe: *winces again at the loud apology* Daijoubu... Joker: *is sitting in the cafeteria with an untouched cup of black coffee, crying* Satsuki: ;-; I'm just so - so glad you're okay... Cade: *decides Kanoe won't like what they have and makes some green tea* Satsuki: *wonders what she should say, if anything, about Kanoe's aunt* Kanoe: *winces again as she adjusts herself into a sitting position* So... did you call... my mother...? Cade: *comes running back trying not to spill any hot tea* Satsuki: I did... I talked with your aunt... Satsuki: Anouuuuuu... Kanoe: And... how much... did she tell you? Cade: *hands her the tea* Satsuki: She said - um - that Megumi was your sister... Satsuki: And... Kanoe: *nods* Satsuki: *crying* Oh, E-chan, she said that Megumi was dead... had been dead for years... Satsuki: That your mother had been putting your letters on her grave... Kanoe: *quietly* Yes, I know. I asked her to. Satsuki: ;.;? Satsuki: You did? Cade: *stands against the far wall* Kanoe: Megumi died ten years ago, along with her husband and two small children. Satsuki: Oh... Satsuki: I thought - with what you were saying... Satsuki: I thought she was still alive... Kanoe: Well... You see... Satsuki: ;.;? Kanoe: When I was 15, and Megumi used to ask me to babysit for her all the time... Kanoe: I never minded, because my two little cousins were such sweet little boys. Satsuki: Oh... Kanoe: Sometimes I tagged along on family outings, because I never really knew what families were like before Megumi got married. Kanoe: My dad died when I was three, and my mom wasn't that good. Satsuki: ;.; Satsuki: *was raised in a creche, but always pampered and loved* Kanoe: So I tagged along with them a whole lot, playing mother's helper. Satsuki: And...? Kanoe: It was such a pretty day... Kanoe: Right in the middle of spring, and everything was blooming, and the sun was shining, and I couldn't stand being inside. Kanoe: So I called Meg and Keiichi - he was her husband - and asked if they were free to go on a picnic, and they said why not? Satsuki: *has bad, bad feeling* Kanoe: So I packed a big lunch and set out to meet them in the park. Kanoe: When I got there, they were waiting with a blanket, and we all sat down to eat. Kanoe: And suddenly a cloud moved across the sun. Satsuki: 0.0 And then? Kanoe: A big man walked up to us and asked if that man was Keiichi, and he said yes. Kanoe: And the big guy grabbed Keiichi and started yelling at him, something about money and payments. Satsuki: 0.0! Kanoe: I don't remember it that well. Anyway, Meg got up and started yelling at the man to stop it, they didn't have the money, they couldn't pay him... Kanoe: And the man took out a shotgun, and killed Keiichi right in front of us. Meg started screaming, and he pointed the gun at her and told her to shut up. Satsuki: ;.;!!! Kanoe: The two boys were bawling, and I kept trying to calm them down, telling them it would be okay if they were quiet, but they knew I was lying and cried anyway. Kanoe: Meg wouldn't stop screaming, and the man started to pull the trigger, and I felt like I was stuck to the blanket, like I couldn't move. Satsuki: *can't stop crying now* Kanoe: Then he shot her, and shot her, again and again, and the boys went over to her body, trying to wake her up, and then he shot them too... Satsuki: ;.;!!!!!!!!!! Kanoe: He would have shot me, but the police arrived then, and he escaped in a car that had been waiting for him. Policeman: *knocks on the door* Excuse me? Cade: *opens the door slowly* Yes? Satsuki: *jumps up, trying to wipe away some of her tears* Kanoe: *just looks up* Cade: *wipes eyes* Policeman: Excuse me - are you Kai Shindo, also known as Cade? Policeman: And is there a young lady named Satsuki here? Satsuki: That's me! ;-; Satsuki: *waves* Cade: *looks frightened* Why? Kanoe: *looks quietly resigned* What's wrong, officer? Policeman: There have been reports that you shot a man twice in the back, Mr. Cade, and Miss Satsuki, too. Policeman: You both look like decent people, so if you'll just come along and answer a few questions there shouldn't be any problems. Kanoe *quietly* Satsuki never shot anyone. Kanoe: I did. Policeman: Pardon? Satsuki: E-chan? Kanoe: I said, Satsuki didn't shoot anyone, I did. Satsuki: Officer, she's delirious. NEITHER of us shot anyone. Policeman: Well, if she's confined to her bed the questioning can be done here, I suppose. Cade: I did all the shooting. *pulls out gun* See, here’s the weapon. Policeman: 0.0!!! Joker: *still carrying the untouched coffee and crying, comes into the room behind the officer* Joker: YOU! Joker: YOU SHOT HIM! Joker: You and that little bitch lured him into a trap! Satsuki: I didn't do ANYTHING! Kanoe: If either of us ever does any luring, it's me. Satsuki: I stopped him from chasing after your precious boss, so don't go blaming ME for this! Satsuki: I did what I could! Kanoe: She did. He wanted to follow and finish the job. Satsuki: It's not my fault whatever-his-name-is has some kind of death wish! Kanoe: But she stopped him. Policeman: 0.0? Policeman: *naive and new to the force, doesn't deserve this kind of case* Kanoe: Satsuki stopped Kai from killing that man. Joker: She did? Kanoe: She deserves a medal, not a questioning. Joker: *grudgingly* Sorry, Satsuki. Policeman: @.@ Satsuki: It's okay - I mean, I know you're upset and all. Satsuki: If *I* was in love with my boss and he got shot, I'd go after anyone I saw in the vicinity, too. Joker: L- l- l- l- love?! Kanoe: But Kai had a reason to shoot him. Kanoe: He shouldn't have shot him, but he had a reason to. Joker: I don't care, he still shot him! Kanoe: Same reason I had to kill Miles. Joker: Who? Satsuki: Is that the big evil bastard who - Kanoe: Yes. Kanoe: I had every right to kill him. Kanoe: But I didn't. Satsuki: You DIDN'T?! Satsuki: WHERE IS HE?! Satsuki: I'LL DO IT MYSELF!! Kanoe: I don't know where he is. Satsuki: *curses viciously* Val: *beeps in disapproval of Satsuki’s language* Kanoe: I let him go. Kanoe: I had to. Satsuki: But WHY?! Joker: @.@ Policeman: @.@ Kanoe: Think about it, Satsu-kun. Cade: Shut up! Kanoe: What would it change? Satsuki: Oh. Kanoe: It might make me feel better, but only for a little while. Satsuki: *sniffles* That's true... Kanoe: Maybe a sense of justice served, but it would be a false sense. Satsuki: Yeah. Val: *beeps in agreement* Kanoe: No matter what you do, you can't change the past. Tetsuya: Exactly. Cade: ... Tetsuya: *is standing in the door, heavily bandaged around the middle and using crutches, listening* Kanoe: I never stop sending letters to Megumi, even though she's dead. Kanoe: It's my way of remembering her. Satsuki: ;.; That's - that's so sweeeeeeet... Cade: *glaring at Tetsuya* Joker: *jumps in front of Tetsuya immediately* DON'T *TOUCH* HIM! Tetsuya: Joker. Tetsuya: Relax. Joker: But boss... Policeman: *gives up and goes away* Kanoe: *to Satsuki* And I made sure Miles would stay in prison for the rest of his life, so he would never hurt anyone ever again. Satsuki: ;-;V! Tetsuya: Joker, this is between me and Kai. Joker: ;.; But boss... Cade: *still glaring at him* Tetsuya: Joker. Go. Now. Kanoe: *lays back on her pillows, wincing* Joker: ;.; *follows the policeman* Cade: I should shoot you where you stand... Tetsuya: Then do it. Tetsuya: Stop playing around and kill me. Satsuki: HEY! Satsuki: No shooting around E-chan! Satsuki: She's not well! Cade: ... Kanoe: *has her eyes closed, wondering if she heard something about tea earlier* Cade: *had given her tea earlier* atsuki: *gives her the forgotten and now cold tea* Kanoe: *looks at it like, "You're kidding me, right?"* Satsuki: ^-^;;; Kanoe: *puts it on the side table* Tetsuya: Well? Do you want me dead or not? Tetsuya: If you won't shoot, then stab me. Tetsuya: Or break my neck. Tetsuya: I'm sure a bounty hunter like you knows many ways to kill people without guns. Cade: *fingers the gun in his sleeve* Satsuki: ;.;!!! DAME YO! Satsuki: Honestly! MEN! Val: *beeps in agreement* Kanoe: *would nod if it didn't still hurt a little* Cade: I'm not a bounty hunter... Tetsuya: Fine. Tetsuya: You can give the bounty to the ladies if you desire. Satsuki: No WAY! I wouldn't take it! Kanoe: No, thank you. Cade: *turns around and slams the door in Tetsuya's face* Tetsuya: *now on the outside of the room, shrugs* Tetsuya: Eventually... Tetsuya: *walks slowly back to his hospital room* Cade: *slumps into a chair in the corner* Satsuki: *hugs him* Kanoe: Daijoubu, Kai? Satsuki: I knew you wouldn't do it, Cade! Cade: *pushes her away* Please don't... Satsuki: ?.? Kanoe: *murmurs* It never stops hurting... *closes her eyes and bows her head slightly* Cade: *curls up in the chair* Satsuki: *sits down in another chair, confused* Val: *beeps* Satsuki: I don't know either, Val... Cade: Don't call me Cade, either... Kanoe: Kai. Satsuki: All right, Kai. Cade: ... Joker: *sticks head back in the room for one minute* THANK YOU SO MUCH! Joker: *disappears again* Kanoe: *sweatdrops* Satsuki: Was he being sarcastic? Val: *beeps* Satsuki: No, I guess not. Cade: Weird... Satsuki: Weird, yeah. Satsuki: That guy is *so* in love with the boss - kind of a scary thought, isn't it? Cade: *rocks back and forth in his chair* Satsuki: *would hug him, but isn't a huggy sort and doesn't know what came over her earlier* Kanoe: *smiles* Love is a beautiful thing, Satsuki. Only those with none in their hearts would ever try to destroy it. Cade: ... Satsuki: ^-^ That's true. Satsuki: E-chan, you know lots of wise things like that. Kanoe: It comes from experience. Satsuki: I guess when I'm older I'll know that kind of thing, too. *is about seventeen* Kanoe: Hopefully not because of the same thing. Satsuki: Yeah - I would so die if anyone from my creche got hurt... Cade: ... Kanoe: If it's in my power, Satsuki, nothing of harm will ever come to you. Satsuki: ;-; Thank you, E-chan. Satsuki: I'll do my best to protect you, too. Cade: *silent* Satsuki: Ne, Kai... Satsuki: Join us? Kanoe: Kai... Val: *beeps* Cade: *looks up* ? Satsuki: Wanna stick with us? Kanoe: Please. Satsuki: Three's better than two. Cade: I'm not a bounty hunter... Satsuki: But you can be one! Satsuki: We'll be happy to teach you! Kanoe: I'm asking you, as an equal. Not as a rookie. Not as someone worthy of suspicion. Please join us. Kanoe: At least if something happens to me, you can protect Satsuki. Cade: OK... Satsuki: Yeah, and you can protect E-chan! Satsuki: You showed lots of promise. Satsuki: I bet you'll be really good once you get past the having to rely on dumb luck stage! Cade: ... Kanoe: She's right. Val: *beeps* Satsuki: Even Val wants you to join! Kanoe: You have a lot of promise as a bounty hunter. Cade: *takes out a ring and kisses it* I swear to protect both of you and assist you as long as I can... Satsuki: *takes the ring, kisses it too* I swear the same as well. Cade: *looks surprised* Val: *beeps* Satsuki: So does Val. Kanoe: *takes the ring from Satsuki and kisses it also* I swear the same. Cade: ... Satsuki: ;-;V! Kanoe: *gives it back to Kai* Cade: *stares at it fondly for a second, then puts it back up* Satsuki: *dances around* Now we're all partners, we're all together, everything is good... Kanoe: *smiles* Cade: *smiles barely* Val: *beeps in time with the singsong* *And with the three bound together - the scene fades.* Credits: Satsuki: Hokuto Kuzuki Kanoe/Hanako: MokonaChiirushia Cade/Kai: Ryuujin Tatsu Tetsuya: Hokuto Kuzuki Kisha: Hokuto Kuzuki/MokonaChiirushia Mutsuki: MokonaChiirushia Joker: Hokuto Kuzuki Doctor: MokonaChiirushia Val: Hokuto Kuzuki Paramedic: MokonaChiirushia Waiter: Hokuto Kuzuki Hostess: MokonaChiirushia Policemen: Hokuto Kuzuki Time: MokonaChiirushia