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Chapter Text

Guren Ichinose could feel the hours slowly ticking by as he scanned through the documents and charts on his desk. The raven continued reading over the facts, even though he already had the information memorized prior to his current rummaging. He had personally obtained, organized, and handled everything for the case. However, even with all of his efforts, they had still lost in court. As the paralegal, he could brush it off and blame the lawyer for performing poorly, after all Guren had given her everything that she would need to succeed. Although, he felt like the effort and skill were lacking on his end. Thoughts were streaming through his head as he prepared his briefcase, What if I had found one more witness to testify? Would we have won if I had kept researching where they found the body?

Guren grabbed his briefcase and proceeded to lock the doors of the law firm before heading out into the darkness of the surrounding streets. Still lost in thought, Guren started walking in the direction of the subway. However, right before he reached the station, he stopped and turned instead down a side street. It had been a long case and he needed a drink, damn it.

After walking for a few minutes he arrived at his favorite bar. As opposed to one of those trashy bars downtown where sultry women threw themselves at him, he thought this one had a little more class. Opening the door, he was met with a gentle murmur from scattered people seated around the room. Guren walked up to the bar and sat at one of the stools, “The usual, Goshi.”

The man behind the bar turned around and nodded, “Haven’t seen you back here in awhile. Been busy on a case?”

“It’s been awful,” Guren admitted as his usual drink was placed in front of him.

Goshi took a drag from his pipe before asking, “Did you win?”

“Do you think that I would be here if I won?”

“Why doesn’t anyone come to my bar to celebrate good things?”

Guren looked up from his cup, “Maybe coming here makes them feel better?”

Goshi laughed, “If that’s what I am doing then maybe I should charge more.” He kept laughing to himself as he turned to get drinks for a pair of customers that took their seats at the other end of the bar.

Looking around, Guren’s eyes laid on the piano sitting in the middle of the room, “You know you should get rid of that old piano if no one is going to play it, or you should just hire someone that knows how to play it.”

The young woman a seat away from Guren turned towards him, “I have seen someone playing it.”

“Miss, I’ve been coming to this piano bar since I turned twenty, and not once have I seen anyone play that old piano,” Guren replied dryly.

“He is talented, but he doesn’t come here all of the time,” the woman insisted.

Guren rolled his eyes and finished his drink, “I’m sure. Goshi, another round.”

The night slowly passed by and Guren had come to the conclusion that the illusive piano boy was not going to show up.

Standing and stretching, Guren over looked at Goshi, “I’m going to actually pay my tab tonight.”

“Are you sure? That is not the alcohol talking right?”

Guren’s eyes narrowed as he pulled out his credit card, “Yes I’m sure. I didn’t even drink that much.”

The bartender laughed, “Oh and sorry about your case, but there is always next time, right?”

“I guess so,” Guren sighed and put his card in his suit pocket. Grabbing his briefcase, he stood up heading towards the door.

The raven pulled at the door handle, but he didn’t anticipate the white haired man who practically fell into his arms the moment the door opened. The man didn’t seem startled in the slightest, in fact he was smiling as he looked up at Guren, “Oops sorry about that.” He quickly straightened and stood in the doorway, “I wasn’t really holding onto the door, and you pulled it open so I kinda went flying.” A moment of tense silence passed before he added, “Oh, my name is Shinya by the way.”

The white haired man was still smiling at him as he waited for Guren to respond. “I’m Guren,” the raven curtly replied. He shoved past Shinya and mumbled, “Well, I’m off.”

He heard Shinya close the door behind him as Guren turned and started walking towards the subway. He was just in time for his departing line. The raven smirked and reached for his wallet, but found that his suit pocket was empty. Guren’s heart stopped for a second as he breathed, “No way.”

Searching every pocket in his suit three times over, Guren’s attention turned towards his briefcase. As impractical as it would be for him to throw his wallet in his briefcase, he searched through it nonetheless. “Don’t tell me that Shinya guy pickpocketed me.”

Within minutes, Guren was back in front of the bar, trying to catch his breath. The raven could hear the faint sounds of a piano being played as he drew closer to the main door. He could admit that he was slightly buzzed, but that was no reason why his ears should start playing tricks on him. Opening the door, he noticed a crowd gathered around the piano.

Making his way to the bar, Guren hissed, “Goshi, have you seen that Shinya kid? I think that brat stole my wallet.”

Goshi chuckled, “No one stole your wallet. You left it here on the bar after paying your tab.”

A red blush streaked across Guren’s face, “Shit, just shut up and give it back to me!”

The raven snatched his wallet from the bartender’s hand and returned it to his pocket. “Anyway, I’m happy that you came back. Now you can see my piano bar in all its glory,” Goshi exclaimed with a huge puff of smoke.

Turning from where he was standing at the bar, Guren’s eyes widened as identified the person playing the piano. It was none other than the man who fell into him earlier, Shinya. His eyes were closed as he gently rocked back and forth with the rhythm of the music. His slender fingers were dancing across the keys swiftly and with perfect accuracy. With a final deep inhale and exhale, Shinya opened his eyes before ending the song.

Guren was dumbfounded as he stared at the piano player, his shining eyes matched his bright smile as the bar erupted into applause around him. “He is beautiful,” the raven breathed as Shinya started playing a song requested by someone in the surrounding crowd.

Goshi smiled smugly, “You like what you see, Guren?”

“Does he work for you or is he just a random customer with some talent?”

“Our fathers know each other so we are friends. He just comes and plays when he has the time.”

Guren accepted the glass of water that Goshi placed before him, “I’ve been your friend for years, but you never told me about him.”

“He really never came to the bar until after my old man passed away. After that he asked if he could play, and I let him.” Goshi leaned on the bar, “He is very secretive, and rarely answers questions about himself.”

Guren glanced over at Shinya, “Then do you know anything about him?”

“Of course, I know basic information about him. Why, are you interested? I didn’t realize you swung that way” Goshi smirked.

“I was just trying to make sure that you weren’t letting random citizens play in here. I may be a good paralegal, but I can’t save you from all of the crazy people in the world.”

“Do you think I would really allow someone to constantly entertain in my bar if I didn’t at least know some basic information about them?”

Taking a sip from his glass, Guren apologized, “I know you’re smarter than that, sorry.”

Their conversation came to an end as applause filled the room and the song finished. Shinya bowed then walked up to the bar. Taking the seat beside Guren, he exclaimed, “It’s you again, Guren! I thought you had left.”

“I forgot my wallet and had to come back,” the raven replied.

Goshi smiled, “Would you like anything to drink, Shinya?”

“I’ll have a Cosmopolitan,” the white haired man answered with a smile.

Guren took a sip from his glass, “You play the piano well.”

“Thanks!”

“Where did you learn how to play like that—” Guren started to ask before Shinya interjected.

“When I was younger I had a private teacher.”

The crowd was starting to disperse from around the piano as the customers returned to the scattered bar tables. “You said that your name was Shinya, right?”

“Shinya Hiiragi. Is there anything else you would like to know,” a devilish glint sparkled in his blue eyes.

Goshi refilled the raven’s water before he placed a glass before Shinya, “Alright, Guren, this isn’t an investigation. Tone it down with the questioning.”

“It is just odd that he’s been coming here all this time and I’ve never seen him,” the raven frowned.

“Well we all don’t run on your schedule, Mr. Paralegal.”

At Goshi’s comment Shinya laughed, “So you are a paralegal, Guren?”

The sound of his name along with that laugh caused Guren’s stomach to flip, and he cursed himself for allowing something so miniscule to twist him up inside. “Yeah, so what?”

Shinya took a sip from his drink, his playful eyes gleaming, “Well, you should know that you can ask all the questions that you want. Although, I’ll only tell you that I never get caught, and I always get away.”

“Hah?” Guren wretched his attention away from blue eyes to ponder Shinya’s cryptic statement. He was silent for couple of moments passed as he finished his water. Standing up, he pulled on his jacket and he turned to the white haired man, “You might always get away, but what if one day someone makes you want to stay.”

Guren noticed Shinya freeze for a moment, his glass halfway to his mouth, as he stared at him in shock. The raven turned to Goshi, “Put that Cosmopolitan on my tab. See you around Mr. Getaway and Goshi.”

“Guren,” Shinya called just as the raven reached for the door. He turned back to the man still sitting at the bar. A moment of silence passed before Shinya continued, “To answer your question I would tell that person that they should find where a tiger was buried then they should head east. Then, and only then, will they be able to truly find me.”

Even more confused at this than last statement, Guren sighed and exited the bar.

Shinya smiled into his glass as he watched Guren leave. He noticed Goshi starting to gather the glasses from the bar, “I know that you don’t want anyone to know, but Guren is different. He will find out one way or another.” Shinya remained silent as he watched the door, a small smile on his face. “So what time are you leaving, Shinya? The last train will be here soon.”

The white haired man quickly finished sipping his Cosmopolitan, “I would rather have him judge me based off the real me and not the doll that I have to pretend to be.” He pulled on his scarf and looked down at the empty glass, “Did you change something? It tasted a little bitter today.”

Goshi picked up the glass, “Did it? I didn’t do anything different.”

“Maybe it was the company I had.”

“Guren really is not that bad once you get to know him. If you want I can tell you if he is here or not, so you two don’t have to meet again.”

A thoughtful smile crossed Shinya’s face, “No, I think I might have liked it.” Without another word, the white haired man left the bar and headed towards the subway station.

Chapter Text

“Shinya, are you awake,” a harsh voice called from the other side of his door.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Shinya glanced at his clock, “Yes brother, I’m just getting ready now.”

Kureto Hiiragi’s voice sounded from the other side of the door again, “You better be.”

Shinya allowed the sound of his brother’s footsteps vanish down the hall before he crawled out of his futon. The sun had yet to rise, but he started getting ready nonetheless. Trying to tame his white hair, he looked at his reflection and gently touched under his eyes, “I shouldn’t have stayed out so late last night.”

Exiting his room, he walked down stairs to the traditional Japanese breakfast table. Shinya did not even have to look around the table, since it was the same every morning. In the corner of the room Mahiru reprimanded Aoi, his sister in law, about her sloppy tea making. The purple haired girl swore that if she didn’t do it herself then breakfast would be ruined. Meanwhile, at the table, his father was sternly flipping through the pages of the newspaper as Kureto snarled over the day’s schedule. Seishirō was beginning to add gracious helpings of rice to his bowl, but Shinya interrupted him by sliding his rice bowl before his brother. He never felt very hungry in the early mornings. Beside him, Shinoa leaned on her arm calling sleepily to Mahiru, “Could I have coffee today with extra cream and milk?”

“For the hundredth time, Shinoa, this is a Tea House. We have tea here not coffee,” Mahiru snapped.

“Yes, Yes,” the youngest waved her off, “Just thought I would try.”

Seishirō finished off his first bowl of rice, and progressed to devour Shinya’s. As one of the younger siblings, Seishirō could escape when he was old enough, but Shinya was trapped here. When he was still a child, he was invited to leave his own family and marry Mahiru. Back then the thought of having a beautiful bride waiting for him was enchanting, but now he wished he could curl up in a ball and hide somewhere alone for the rest of his life.

Kureto was the oldest male sibling, so he is considered family heir and is destined to continue the family tradition of tea ceremonies. He thought of Shinya as useful to the business, so he was trapped under the Hiiragi family reigns. He was expected to host lessons and learn the customs of the tea ceremony.

“Even someone as incompetent as you should be able to pour the tea into glasses,” Mahiru’s mocking voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

Aoi remained silent as she poured the tea and distributed the cups around the table. She grabbed her own portion and sat down next to her husband, Kureto. The entire family sat in silence until Shinoa spoke up, “I heard that there was a murder down the street.”
Aoi nodded, “They said that it was a family of four. Did you hear about it, Kureto?”

Kureto frowned, “I already know, Aoi. They don’t have any leads, and they think that it is going to be a cold case.”

“I heard that the District Sheriff doesn’t think that they have the resources to handle this large of a case,” Seishirō mumbled before munching on his toast.

Kureto nodded and added, “The sister of the dead wife is asking the district to find the culprit behind the murder of the family. They probably are going to ask for assistance from the next district over. I heard that they have an outstanding paralegal and lawyer duo. They are famous for solving cases that are turning cold.”

“Hopefully they can sort this all out,” Seishirō yawned.

“Until then, after tea ceremony practices finish we will be locking the doors and no one is allowed to leave” Tenri folded his newspaper and placed it on the table.

“Father,” Seishirō exclaimed.

“If the authorities are coming is that really necessary?” Shinoa asked. She paused before adding, “plus what if the reason they were murdered was because they were-”

Shinya cut his younger sibling off, “-no one deserves to be murdered.”

Aoi turned to her father-in-law, “Tenri, I agree that this is the best course of action.”

The Hiiragi family head finished his tea, “This conversation is over. I will hear no more objections. Now go get ready for the day.”

Heading up to his room, Shinya faintly heard Kureto grunt, “I heard that the other district’s lawyer team would be coming to the scene today.”

Aoi asked, “Do you want to treat them to tea?”

“We shall see,” Mahiru answered.

Guren knew that he should have left the bar earlier last night, but that damn Shinya Hiiragi had enticed him into staying later than he had originally planned. He was currently riding into the Hinara district to investigate a family murder. Beside him was Shigure Yukimi, his lawyer partner on this case. She gently stopped the car at the red light and asked softly, “Have you ever been to Hinara, Ichinose?”

“A few times, but all on business,” the raven answered while looking out the window.

“I know this call came in late last night, but were you able to read the whole case description?”

“No, not all of it,” Guren admitted as they continued to drive into the town.

“Last night a family of four: husband, wife, older daughter, and younger son were all killed inside of their home. When the officials arrived at the scene, none of the doors showed any sign of forced entry. Apparently when officers asked the neighbors if they saw any questionable figures no one said they noticed anything. The officers informed me that it is common for the people in this town keep their doors unlocked. Hinara is known for its safety, and apparently no one in this town locks their doors because they believe in that safety.”

“That safety didn’t do much for that family of four did it?”

Shigure nodded, “Inside the house they found the family safe emptied, the china cabinet emptied, and the gun safe was opened.”

“The gun safe was opened? Were the guns taken?”

“Apparently only two of the three guns were taken away from the scene. Forensics said that they have found shells around the house near the victims.”

Guren wrote some notes down before asking, “So the family was killed with their own guns?”

“We are unsure as of right now. We have to look up the type of guns that the family actually owned and then compare the shells that were found at the scene. However, that looks like the probable conclusion.”

“That accounts for two guns, but you said that there was a third.”

Shigure smiled, “You don’t miss anything do you, Ichinose?”

“I try not to.”

“Well, the third gun was left on the scene by the body of the husband.”

They stopped at another red light as the GPS in Guren’s hands called out, “Estimated time of arrival five minutes.”

Shigure turned in her seat to look at Guren, “I talked to the officials that were on this case before us. The reason that they called us for this is because they heard about our ability to pull the truth out of people when they don’t want to talk. When we arrive I want you to see what you can find out about the neighbors. If someone came in and killed a family of four I don’t believe that none of them saw anything. Find me the truth, Ichinose, and we will bring them to justice.”

The light turned green and Shigure turned down the street where the murder took place. Guren noticed the road was lined with an assortment of modern and traditional Japanese houses. The sight of yellow caution tape caught the raven’s attention as they pulled up to the officer on duty. Shigure showed her ID and clearance number, and the officer allowed them to proceed onto the crime scene. Together they climbed out of the car only to be met by a girl with long red hair that fell to her hips. The girl smiled at Shigure, “Long time no see, Yukimi!”

“Do you know her?” Guren stared at his partner, who was wearing a softer expression than usual.

“We used to be classmates until she moved to Hinara.”

“I’m District Sheriff Mito.” The red-haired girl nodded in Guren’s direction, “Thanks for coming to our aid.”

Shigure pulled out her notepad, “I heard that this is becoming District wide news.”

“I want to find the culprit behind this before it is too late,” Mito replied somberly.

“Mito, this is my assistant and paralegal Guren Ichinose.”

Guren extended a hand, but without a word, the redhaired officer took his hand and asked Shigure, “Shall I show you to the crime scene?”

Prior to entering, they submitted their fingerprints and DNA to the forensic team. Soon after, Mito led them in. She walked them through the sunroom where breakfast was probably held. A metal safe with its door open sat on the dining room table. Mito guided the duo past the safe, “We found the safe opened and emptied. We haven’t moved it.”

Shigure glanced back at the safe, “Was it opened by force?”

“No it was opened with the correct combination.”

After silently walking upstairs, the first thing Guren saw was a large blood stain streaked on the hallway floor. Mito walked by the group of forensic investigators and led them towards the master bedroom, “That blood stain was where we found the son.”

Inside the bedroom, they saw another team of investigators placing sheets in bags and labeling them. Guren didn’t see any blood, “Did someone die in here?”

Mito frowned, “The wife died of asphyxiation while she was sleeping.”

A girl walked up to their group, she was wearing a blue investigator jacket and a white mask, “Mito, we are doing an ultraviolet scan on the daughter’s bedroom. My team is still trying to take pictures and gather the evidence In the basement where we found the husband.”
Mito nodded, “Thank you, Sayuri.”

“I can let you know as soon as we are done,” the girl ran back out the door.

Shigure turned to Mito, “We wanted to ask the local residences if they saw anything.”

“Good luck, Yukimi. The way that they are all staying silent makes me is wonder if this entire neighborhood was in on the crime,” Mito commented.

Guren and Shigure were escorted out of the crime scene by one of Mito’s officers. Shigure looked towards the road, “I’ll take all the modern homes. Ichinose, you take the traditional Japanese houses.”

“Yes ma’am.” Guren sarcastically replied and turned toward the street. “I’ll start from the back and work my way towards the crime scene.”

“Okay, I’ll see you back here when we are finished.”

As Guren walked down the street, he could see people watching him from their windows. He soon reached the end of the street and looked up at the large two story traditional Japanese house. Guren noticed a sign perched in the rock garden that read ‘Tea House’. The raven headed to the door and knocked. A beat passed before the door swung open, and Guren came face-to-face with a white haired man. Shinya’s blue eyes widened as his smile faltered, “Guren, why are you here?”

Chapter Text

Guren’s eyes widened to mirror Shinya’s as he stood rooted in the doorway. A moment of silence passed before he asked, “Shinya, this is a whole district over from the bar. What are you doing here?”

Slim hands slapped over the raven’s mouth, “Guren, please stop talking. If anyone heard you I would be in serious trouble.”

Pulling Shinya’s hands from his face, Guren frowned, “What do you mean?”

“We can’t talk here,” Shinya started turning back into his house.

“Why are you acting so odd,” the raven grabbed his wrist.

“Guren,” Shinya gasped his usually smiling eyes looked on the verge of tears.

Suddenly the screen door behind Shinya opened, causing Guren to release the wrist in his hand. A woman appeared, “Shinya, why are you just standing out here on the doorstep?” She noticed Guren and asked, “And who might you be?”

Pulling out his identification papers Guren showed them to the woman and reported, “Hello ma’am, my name is Guren Ichinose. I am the paralegal in charge of the family mass murder down the street. My partner and I are going around the neighbor and seeing if anyone had any information on the case.”

“My name is Aoi Hiiragi, and this is my brother-in-law: Shinya. Please come in for tea and I can try and answer any questions that you have,” the woman offered.

Following them inside Guren noted the pained look that Shinya wore as he followed the blonde. Aoi sat down at a table and started serving tea as Guren and Shinya sat beside each other. Pulling out his notepad the raven asked, “Do you recalling seeing any suspicious characters last night?”

Aoi flatly answered, “My husband and I went to a tea ceremony at another Tea House with his father and sister, so we were away on work business. Shinya and Seishirō were alone. Thankfully, they are alright.”

Absentmindedly, Guren added, “I’m thankful too.” The first smile of the day crossed Shinya’s face as he flicked a glance towards Guren. The raven’s face felt hot, but he continued his questioning, “Do you know if the Noguchi family had any enemies?”

“Not that I know of.”

Shinya looked at Guren, “They were one of the more well-off families in this area.”

“Do you think they were killed for money,” Aoi questioned a hand clutching her chest.

“We can’t rule anything out as a motive for murder at this moment. Thank you, Shinya. Now I know that you said that you were out, but do you remember the last time that you saw the Noguchi family?”

Aoi thought for a moment before replying, “I saw them a few days ago because they bought a tea set.”

Violet eyes widened, “Please, describe the tea set.”

“I was the basic kettle and six cups.”

Guren asked, “Color, size, anything you remember.”

“We sell many tea sets, Mr. Ichinose,” she answered flatly.

Shinya thought for a moment before adding, “I think it was the average size of a Japanese tea ceremony set, they were white and had speaks of jade on them. No handles, maybe, on any of the cups.”

“This will help,” Guren stated as he jotted down a few notes, “Thank you for inviting me to tea.”

Guren and Shinya stood, “I’ll walk him to the door.”

Aoi smiled at Guren, “Best of luck on your investigation.” Then she headed into the next room leaving Guren and Shinya alone. Before the door closed Guren saw the hint of purple hair.

The raven followed Shinya to the door, “Thank you, again.”

“Guren, weren't you supposed to ask me where I was the night the victims died? Or when was the last time I saw the family?”

Stepping out onto the stoop Guren tucked away his notepad, “I figured that it would get you in trouble if you told me that you went out in front of her.”

Another smile crossed Shinya’s face, “Don’t think that I owe you one now.”

Waving Guren headed back onto the main street towards the next house. Beside the Hiiragi house Guren’s efforts yielded no real results. After about two hours of questioning people in the comfort of their doorways Guren arrived back at the crime scene. Based off of the people that he questioned, the last person that had seen a member of the Noguchi family claimed that the husband had returned from work around the same time as usual and entered the house. The bodies were apparently found by a mailman who noticed the front door open. He reported the incident, and then four body bags were leaving the residence.

Looking around Guren noticed Mito standing by Shigure who just finished a phone call. Shigure turned towards Guren, “How did it go?”

“Everyone is spooked about the murder, and no one wants to talk much. The Hiiragi family were the only ones that invited me in for tea, and they told me about a tea set that they sold to the Noguchi family.”

“Do you think that it could be the one that is missing from the China cabinet?”

“Possibly, but I’m not sure. I would have to see what is in the cabinet to make sure that the one that they describe is not in there.”

Mito added, “We found shattered shards in the basement. Forensic is putting it together as we speak to see if it can help us piece together what is missing.”

Shigure turned to Guren, “We have a problem. The hotel that promised to give us lodgings till the case was solved has fallen through.”

“What? Then where are we going to stay?”

“That is what I am trying to figure out. I have checked all of the other hotels, but they are all full.”

“Can we commute via bullet train? I mean it is only one district over.”

“They are doing construction on the bullet train, remember, that is why we had to get up early this morning and drive this whole way?”

Mito stepped forward, “I have room for one of you at my place, but I am not sure what Ichinose is going to do about lodging.”

Violet eyes narrowed at the red head, “Shigure, go with Mito and get a goodnight’s rest. We have been up since four this morning.”

“Ichinose, what about you? Where are you going to stay,” Shigure wondered.

“Don’t worry I’ll figure it out and I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning at seven.”

Guren had no idea what he had originally thought that he was going to do in this situation, but this was not what he intended. The sun had nearly set and Shigure had left an hour ago. Currently, Guren was standing once again before the Hiiragi front door. Before he knocked the raven thought better of it, and started to leave. Guren berated himself Idiot everyone is a suspect. You can’t just waltz up to their front door and ask to spend the night.

However, his feet started wondering through the fence into the back garden where he heard voices. Standing on the elegant back porch was Shinya wearing a light amethyst kimono with a small smile on his face as he talked to a group of children. The group of children were gathering their belongings and putting on their shoes. Once they were done, they headed down the steps waving and calling back their goodbyes to Shinya.

Guren moved out of the entryway of the fence so the cluster of children could pass by him. “Master Shinya, huh” Guren chimmed.

“I’m a Tea Ceremony Master,” Shinya informed him. “Is there anything that I can do for you, Mr. Investigator?”

“I know this inappropriate of me, but I have nowhere else to go. It will only be for one night. Could I stay here?”

Shinya walked down the steps and leaned towards Guren, “Remember how I told you that I didn’t owe you one? Now look at you. You came back asking for a favor. Tisk, tisk, Guren.”

“Shinya, please.”

A playful glint entered Shinya’s eyes, “What are you going to do if I say no?”

“Probably just wait at the crime scene till morning.”

“Then, ask me nicely,” Shinya asked smugly.

Guren snarled through clenched teeth, “I won’t beg.”

Shinya chuckled, “I just want you to say please, stupid Guren.”

“Please,” Guren asked in barely a whisper.

“What was that I couldn’t hear you? Could you speak up,” Shinya asked with a patronizing smile.

“Please, let me stay here,” Guren asked through grit teeth.

“Of course,” Shinya slipped his arm through the ravens and guided him into the Tea Room. “I’m going to change, and then I’ll give you a leg up.”

“Leg up?”

“Do you think that you could just walk through my house? My family would kill me if they heard that I was having company over.”

“Killing jokes aren’t so funny right now. I’m currently investigating a quadruple homicide right down the street.”

“Right, sorry about that I didn’t really mean it. In all honesty it would be better for both of us if they didn’t find out. So just wait here for me and I’ll be right back.”

Guren waited in the Tea Room and glanced towards the kimono room where Shinya vanished. The door was left open a crack and the raven watched mesmerized as Shinya’s pale frame gracefully unwrapped from the bindings of the kimono. Standing in his boxers the white haired man pulled on his shirt and pants. Suddenly, the door was opened and Guren looked anywhere else in the room, but at Shinya. “Ready, Guren?”

Nodding because he didn’t trust his voice Guren followed Shinya back onto the porch. “Once you get onto the roof go into the window right in front of you. That is my room, and I will see you once I get up stairs. Unless I run into someone, but I should be fine.” Shinya intertwined his fingers ready to cradle the raven’s foot. Guren used the assistance to climb onto the roof above the Tea Room and climbed through Shinya’s open window.

Downstairs, Shinya walked through the house hoping that he would not bump into anyone, but of course he would have to see the worst person. Mahiru pulled her purple hair out of it bun as her eyes locked onto him, “Where are you scurrying to?”

“Just my room. I’m done teaching classes.”

Her arms wound their way around his body, “Shinya, you shouldn’t be acting so suspicious right now. Do you know that four people were murdered just up the street? That cute paralegal might think that you were behind it if you keep up this attitude.”

“I’m really not acting that different,” Shinya stated with a straight voice standing still as a board.

Mahiru rested her head on his shoulder, “Of course you’re not. Who do you think you’re lying to?”

“I’m not lying.”

“If you think that I will fall for you with this new coy approach your wrong.” Pushing his head to the side she exposed his neck and whispered into the smooth skin, “I know you are hiding something from me.”

Shinya stepped out of her grasp and turned towards the tray of food he had prepared, “Well, I wish you the best of luck at discovering it then, my dear Mahiru.”

Reaching Mahiru pulled Shinya’s hand so they were now facing each other. She breathed, “I will find what is causing you to act like this, Shinya, and I will destroy it. Just like I have always done. If I were you I would send it away before it is destroyed because of your selfishness.”

Shinya wrenched his hand out of her hold and grabbed the tray as he started up the stairs. Turning and looking down at his purple haired fiance, “I know it is against your rules for me to ever be happy, and so you destroy my happiness.”

A sinister smile crossed her face, “Naturally. The only thing that is supposed to bring you happiness is me.”

“Of course, and what an outstanding job you are doing,” turning Shinya headed back towards his room.

Meanwhile upstairs in Shinya’s room, a single futon laid on the floor with a filthy baby white tiger plushie poking out from under the contrasting spotless sheets and blankets. On the wall was a shelf and engraved on the wood was a number from one to twenty four. Above the numbers were tea cups that looked hand painted. Guren smiled imaging a little Shinya finger painting the cups until around age nine where he started utilizing brushes. The two most notable of the tea cups were the first one and the one sitting above the engraved twenty.

The door opened and Shinya appeared holding a tray of food, but he didn’t speak until he closed the door. Locking it he smiled, “Sorry for the wait, and the mess.” He quickly put the food on his desk, and ran over to pull his futon into order.

“These are nice,” the raven gestured towards the tea cups on the shelves.

Shinya looked up from his spot on the floor, “You like those kinds of things, Guren? I would never have pegged you for a sentimental type of guy.”

“It usually is not my thing, but even I can admire the artmanship of them.”

A curious smile crossed Shinya’s face, “Which ones do you admire?”

“The first and twentieth ones, I guess,” Guren growled.

“My late mother painted the first one before she died,” Shinya informed with a small smile as he walked over to the shelf. Gracefully he picked up the twentieth cup, “This one was painted for my coming of age ceremony by myself.” Looking up from the tea cup with hurt eyes Shinya showed Guren a crack on the handle, “This cup did not pass father’s standards at the coming of age ceremony. Hence the crack on the handle. Five sleepless nights, ten paint stained fingers, 4 tubes of paint, and one broken me,” Shinya ended weakly.

“Who cares what your father thinks! When I saw this cup I thought that it was one of the most beautiful cups that I had ever seen.”

Blue eyes widened, but then the usual mask that covered Shinya’s face returned as he replaced the cup to the shelf, “Thank you, Guren.Truth be told I want nothing more than to shatter this cup completely.” Silence filled the room for a moment as Shinya walked towards his personal bathroom, “I’ll start the bath.”

Chapter Text

“Guren, you can have the futon. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor,” Shinya reassured drying the water from his hair.

“This is your house you should sleep in your bed. I’m intruding, let me sleep on the floor.”

Ignoring the raven, Shinya positioned himself on the floor sprawled out on his stomach, “I won’t hear anything else on this subject.”

As playful as Shinya was Guren learned he was also annoyingly stubborn. Begrudgingly Guren climbed into the futon and turned to look at the white haired man beside him on the floor. Shinya snugged with the clearly loved and filthy tiger plushie under a thin blanket he secretly snatched from a nearby closet in the hallway.

“We barely know each other. Why are you letting me stay here?”

Shinya turned and propped his head on the tiger, “Why did you come to me? For all you know I could be the murderer.”

“You are a dumbass. How can you be the murderer when we were together at the bar during the time of the murder?”

Shinya chuckled, “True, it was that night wasn’t. I guess, I’m letting you stay here because of that night at the bar.”

“I definitely gave a great impression that night,” the raven scoffed.

“I know that you didn’t know about my family then, but it’s nice to have people that don’t judge me based off my family. But even after you knew you still talk to me like ‘normal Guren’ would,” a genuine smile crossed Shinya’s face.

Guren’s felt hot, “And what the hell do you know about the ‘normal Guren’? I only came here because everyone else is a suspect in this case, and there is no one I can trust.”

“But me,” Shinya added fondly.

“I’ll be gone in the morning. So don’t get too cocky.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you came here tonight.”

Shinya turned off the light, and settled back on his stomach as the room filled with their gentle breathing. Glancing in his direction the raven noticed the smaller man shaking slightly from the cold. It was all Guren’s fault: he insisted on staying over, chased Shinya out of his bed, and now the other was freezing. Reaching over Guren grabbed Shinya and pulled him into the futon beside him. “Guren,” Shinya yelped in surprise and confusion.

“Just shut up and sleep. I have to be at the crime scene tomorrow morning at seven.”

Shinya was thankful that his face was buried in Guren’s chest because he knew it was burning bright red. Wrapping his slender arms around Guren’s frame Shinya nuzzled closer, “Goodnight, Guren.”

Guren’s arms came securely around Shinya,“Yeah, Yeah, whatever shut up. Night.”

Shinya smiled happily before closing his eyes. The fact that he was halfway off the futon didn’t matter because Guren was holding him securely onto the other half of the futon. Shinya was sure that he would sleep well for the first time in a long time.

The sound of Guren’s phone alarm woke him with a start, and he found himself alone in Shinya’s futon. Looking around he saw Shinya sitting on top of his desk silently painting a tea cup. Guren sat up, “What are you doing?”

“I have to fill out an order,” he pointed to a box on the floor.

Getting to his feet Guren stretched before he went to look into the box. Inside he saw identical blank tea cups and kettle. “What are you painting on them?”

“I’m not really sure. The client said that she wants something that will make her both happy and sad every time she looks at it.”

“Why would she want to be sad?”

“Her husband use to love tea, but now he has passed on so tea time reminds her of him. That’s why she wants it to be happy too. They met at our family’s tea classes. They are valued clients.”

Shinya placed the cup down as Guren snacked on some of the leftover food from last night. Guren smiled, “I’ll find a new place to crash tonight, but thank you for helping me yesterday. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Shinya stood before, “Guren, if you need a place to stay you can come back here. I mean I would hate to find the body of a renowned paralegal in the gutter somewhere because he was too stubborn to ask for help due to his damn pride.”

“Thank you. If I need to stay another night I’ll be back, but I will try to find somewhere else. I don’t want to inconvenience you too much.”

“Aw, you’re worried about inconveniencing me. Last night you were so scared to sleep alone you needed to snuggle with me.”

“That was because you were shivering. I didn’t hear any complaints from you.”

“I didn’t want to damage your pride to much. Let me guess, that was probably the first time your smooth moves actually worked, and you were probably impressed with yourself.”

“Enough of this. I’m leaving,” Guren turned towards the window as Shinya chuckled happily following behind him.

The raven climbed through the window and onto the roof outside as Shinya whispered, “Guren.” Turning at the sound of his name Guren locked eyes with the other man. Shinya leaned against the windowsill as a small smile spread across his face, “I’ll leave the window open for you.”

Guren was the last to arrive at the crime scene, and was swiftly flagged down by Shigure. “Ichinose, did you find lodging last night?”
“Yeah, but I think I am going to look for a new place tonight,” Guren confessed.

“I’m going to try and contact the hotel again, and see if there is anyway that we can figure something out. If possible I suggest you try and stay where you were last night.”

“What? Why?”

“We will be staying here until we have to return to the main office. However, in the meantime, get into the car we are going to head down to the forensic lab.”

Guren got into the car as they took the quick drive to the lab. When they arrived they were given identification badges and directions to where they were going to be meeting the rest of their group. Shigure walked towards the other women and announced, “Now that we are all here let’s introduce the main members of our task force for this investigation.”

The red haired woman that had guided them through the crime scene yesterday stepped forward, “I’m District Sheriff Mito. I’ll be handing all of the coordination with the law enforcement officers. That means if the police is ever needed for an escort, patrol, or other associated tasks I shall organize those functions.”

A girl with a braid wrapping around her head stepped forward, “Hello, my name is Sayuri. I’m the Head of the Crime Scene Investigation Team and Forensic Lab Coordinator for this case. I will be the one leading the team of people that gather, analysis, and investigate the evidence from the crime scene.”

Shigure bowed to both women and Guren followed suit. The lawyer turned to Mito, “Last night you informed me that new information has come to light.”

Mito nodded, “There has been some new information, but I’m not the one you should be asking.”

“Then who-”

Sayuri raised a hand, “The investigative team has finished clearing the house, and has started to process the evidence.” The brunette guided the group into the adjacent room where a map of the Noguchi house was laid out. She opened a manila folder and started laying out pictures, “In the daughter’s room we found fingerprints in the blood. When we scanned them through the database they came back negative for a match.”

Mito looked at the picture, “That just means that the person hasn’t committed any crimes or had any offenses.”

“Yes, but maybe if we get a lead and the person is willing to cooperate then we could get their prints and compare them. That would be an easy way for them to clear their name if they are in the hot seat anyway.”

Guren nodded, “But if they really are the killer they are not going to want to give their prints because then that would put them at the scene of the crime after the murder.”

“And in order to make your print sink into the blood like that and hardened someone must have touched the blood while it was still wet,” Shigure commented.

Sayuri placed down a report, “The morgue delivered this report on the wife. The cause of death was asphyxiation, but they also found drugs in her system.”

Mito picked up the report, “What kind of drugs?”

“A combination of prescribed depression medicine and medication that causes extreme drowsiness.”

Guren glanced over Mito’s shoulder, “I wonder if she was drugged or did she took them of her own free will.”

“We cannot say for sure, now.” The four of them stood in silence as Sayuri placed more pictures from the crime scene on the table.

“Finally, we identified the gun found in the basement beside the husband belongs to the family. Additionally all of the shells that we have collected from around the house belonged to the family guns.”

“They were killed by their own firearms,” Guren commented as he examined the photo of shells littered on the floor.

Shigure looked up from her notepad, “So does the forensics team have a theory about what happened in there?”

“We do,” Sayuri confirmed, “We believe the reason that the murders happened in the first place was so that the killer could obtain the rare tea set that is well worth blood stained hands, and also the money that they collected from the family safe. Our theory is that the killer actually knew the family, and that was why there was no sign of forced entry. We think based off the body temperatures that they all were killed around the same time. It’s believed that the murderer took the husband down into the basement, and maybe tried to make a deal for the money without involving the family. However, negotiations didn’t turn out well, and the husband was killed. The wife at this time was already asleep and drugged. So, What do you do when you hear a gunshot go off?”

Mito thought out loud, “You either run or hide. The simple fight or flight reaction.”

Sayuri nodded, “That’s when we think the killer caught the younger son who ran out into the hallway to see what was happening.”

Shigure pointed to the spot on the map, “Now the gunshots are getting closer the daughter would definitely hide.”

“But the killer knew she was there, and got her too.”

“Then went into the drugged mother and finished off the family,” Guren commented.

“That’s our theory as of right now. Some things that are not adding up however are how the gun safe from the master bedroom ended up on the dining room table. Also, how could someone killed a whole family in under ten minutes, and be gone in another ten before the bodies were found? And Where did the rest of the tea cup set go?”

“The rest?”

“In the basement near the father we found the shattered remains of one of the six cups, and after assembling it we found a small chip of another cup too. The killer must have taken the rest of the cups with them. We looked into the tea set, and it is worth a large amount of money.”

Mito picked up one of the documents from the table frowning, “Do you think the father was in on the murder, but then got double crossed. I mean he might have let the killer in, he might have given him the money from his safe, and he might have given him the gun from the gun safe.”

Shigure narrowed her eyes, “There are a lot of might’s in that sentence. As a lawyer I only work with facts.”

“Maybe there were two,” Guren mumbled more to himself than the other people in the room.”

Mito rolled her eyes, “What is he mumbling about now?”

“What if there were two killers?” The women just stared at him waiting for clarification.”Think about it. Say I’m Suspect One and I’m holding the husband hostage in the basement, and telling you that you need to cooperate or I’ll kill your family,” Guren pointed his finger gun at Shigure. “Meanwhile, my accomplice is upstairs taking out your family.”

Sayuri points her finger gun at Mito, “Bang, you die.”

And Shigure frowned, “But why would you lie?”

“Because I want to come out on top,” Guren smiles, “I get to kill your family who could possibly identify me later, I get your money, I get your guns, and I get the tea set.”

Mito pointed at herself, “There are three people upstairs so how did we go down?”

Sayuri looked at the evidence on the table, “If the husband wasn’t shot first then the older daughter was probably murdered first.”

“Then her brother rushed into the hallway see what happened, and was then shot down,” Shigure offered.

“Followed by the wife,” Mito finished.

“Then I, the husband in the basement, hear the gunshots get angry and shatter and refuse to negotiate further.”

Guren points to the picture of the shattered teacup, “In the husband’s rage he shatters the tea cups, and in the killer’s rage they kill him.”

Shigure stares at all the evidence before her, “Ichinose, you’re theory of two suspects is brilliant.”

Kureto wished that he could push watering the flowers onto Shinya. The task was boring and overly-simple. However, Shinya was currently teaching the children’s tea class, and that was another horrible task. Luckily Kureto had already successfully pushed teaching those brats onto Shinya. Kureto hated children, and the less time that he had to spend with the nose-picking brats the better his day was. In the end the raven decided that wasting his time tending the flowers was better than entertaining those uncultured twerps.

Suddenly, an indent in the dirt caught Kureto’s attention, and he squatted down to get a better view. Clearly visible was a footprint, and it was just as large as his own. “Why on earth is a man’s footprint in the flower bed?” Looking around from his vantage point he could see Shinya teaching inside the classroom. “Does this footprint belong to a peeping tom?”

Pulling out his phone Kureto took several photos, and continued to tend to the flowers, before heading back inside. He made his way to the counter where Mahiru was cutting an apple. Without looking up she asked, “Have you finished tending to my flowers?”

“Yes. Have you had a man sneaking here in the middle of the night, Mahiru, and not been telling me?”

“What are you blabbering about,” she turned to face him exasperatedly still holding the knife.

“Well, I found a footmark in the flowerbed, and if you stand in it you have a clear view of the teacher of the tea lesson.”

“What,” she hissed closing the distance between them.

“Here are the photos,” he presented Mahiru with his phone.

“I want to see it for myself,” she tossed the phone back into her brother’s chest as she marched outside. Together they knelt by the flowerbed and examined the footprint. “This doesn’t belong to either you or the other men of the house?”

“I checked all of the shoes.” Mahiru bit her lip, but remained silent. Kureto cautiously asked,“Is someone spying on us?”

“No, but something suspicious is happening here. Tonight you better make sure you wife is not having an affair on you, or else tomorrow I’m going to rip this house apart until I find who wears shoes that fit this print.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Shinya watched as the two of them left the backyard and headed back into the main house. He made a mental note to check that flowerbed himself once he released his class.

Chapter Text

Shinya sat silently in his room as he watched the flashing lights of the police cars in the distance. He thoughts trailed to Guren, and if he was going to come back. Shinya sat on the windowsill as the gentle breeze flowed through his bangs. There was a knock on his door signaling Mahiru’s entrance. Walking into the room, she sat in front of him, “Why so blue, Shinya?”

“I think I might be getting sick,” he answered flatly.

“Oh. That is not good. And here I was just about to ask if you wanted to come with us tomorrow.”

“Where?”

“To a tea ceremony held at the Grand Hotel in Tokyo.”

“Oh, if I’m feeling better then I’ll join you all.”

“Well you won’t be able to sit in perfect form for the whole ceremony if you are not feeling. Plus, we do not need you to embarrass the Hiiragi Tea House if you faint because of your illness.” She caressed his face, “I found a footprint in the flowerbed today. Now that doesn’t belong to a friend of yours does it.”

Shinya’s blue eyes locked onto her cold ones, “What friends, Mahiru? I only have you.”

“That’s a good man,” leaning in she kissed his lips softly, but there was no emotions behind it. Shinya just sat perfectly still waiting for the moment to pass. She ran her fingers through his hair, “Always remember who you belong to.”

With that she left his room. Once Shinya knew she was gone he went over to his draw and pulled out his stuffed tiger, and hugged it close to him. With his back facing the door he curled into a ball on his futon, and slipped into an uneasy sleep.

The door to Shinya’s room slide opened then closed, and Shinya drearily opened his eyes. The lights in his room were still on from when he had accidentally fallen asleep. His back was facing the door, and he turned over curiously rubbing the sleep from his eyes. A hand covered his mouth as he nearly screamed in terror with the sudden appearance of the tall raven kneeling beside him. Heart still hammering he heard Guren whisper, “Keep it down, Shinya, it’s me.”

Shinya nodded and the hand covering his mouth lowered. Roughing punching Guren in the chest Shinya let his head fall on the other’s shoulder, “Stupid, I left the window open for you. Why did you come in through the door? You gave me a heart attack.”

“It’s kind of hard to give myself a leg up onto the roof.”

“You should have called me,” Shinya looked up into the violet eyes.

“I don’t need your help for everything, you know.”

“Are you so sure about that?”

“Can I stay here again? Tonight will be the last night, and then I’ll be going back to the main office.”

“Sure, but what do I get for housing an officer,” Shinya smiled slyly.

Guren pushed him back on the futon before he stood up, “The lucky-I-don’t-kick-your-ass award.”

“No fair. I’m putting myself on the line here and all I get is your sass,” Shinya whined.

Turning around in disbelief Guren pointed at the white haired man, “Are you kidding me? You are so dramatic and ridiculous.”

“But you like me anyway.”

Guren narrowed his eyes, “I’m using your bathroom.” Shinya just smiled after him fondly before slipping back to sleep to the sound of the shower running.

The gentle hum of Guren’s phone alarm woke the raven as he had to fight his way out of Shinya’s tangled limbs to silence it. In one arm, the white haired man he held Guren close to him, and with the other he ensured that the stuffed tiger remained sandwiched protectively between them. Simply slipping out of Shinya’s grip was impossible, Guren learned, as he struggled to free himself. With each attempt the pale limbs clamped tighter around him preventing escape. Guren mentally reprimanded himself dammit heart stop hammering this is annoying not adorable. Calm down.

Frustrated at both himself and at Shinya’s persistence Guren snapped, “Let go, you twit.”

Shinya blinked sleepily at him in confusion before releasing him, “Oh, sorry.”

“Is something wrong? You were shaking in your sleep last night, and just now you wouldn’t release me.”

“I’m not sure maybe it just this whole murder investigation has me a little jumpy,” Shinya sat up petting the tiger fondly as Guren pulled on his work uniform.

“It’s hard not knowing who to trust, but don’t worry. We are working hard to find the people behind this. They will not get away.”

“Do you ever get worried for yourself?”

“For myself?”

“Yeah I mean you are the one can put the culprit behind bars, right? So wouldn’t the easiest way to stay free be to kill you, too,” Shinya asked uncharacteristically shy. Blue eyes not leaving the tiger he was still petting, “I’m worried for you, Guren.”

The raven leaned against the desk, “You don’t have to be worried this is part of my job. Worrying about something like this is almost like,” Guren thought for a second, “like me worrying about you choking to death on tea. That wouldn’t happen right? Because you have done your tea lessons a million times before.”

“Right.”

“Anyway I’m not even the important person. I’m just the paralegal. I collect the information for the lawyer. That way she can put the criminal behind bars. The sheriff is having the crime scene patrolled. So don’t worry.”

“One day that blind confidence is going to get you in trouble, but don’t worry I’ll have your back.” Looking up for the first time, Shinya smiled, “I’ll be sure to let you realize you were wrong first, of course.”

Guren chuckled, “Naturally, you smartass.”

Shinya silently stood and the blankets gracefully fell away from his frame, and pooled on the futon beside his stuffed tiger. He crossed the room to where Guren leaned against his desk, and gently cupped the raven’s face. Shinya’s soft lips brushed against Guren’s coarse ones for just long enough for Guren to start feeling lightheaded. Withdrawing a few centimeters Shinya looked into violet eyes, “Please be careful, Guren.”

Unable to hold his gaze Guren looked away as he felt his cheeks heating up, “I told you my job isn’t as dangerous as you think it is.”

Shinya’s warm breath was on Guren’s ear, “I was talking about sneaking down the stairs. Mahiru will kill you if she finds you.” The white haired man pulled back failing to hold back his laughter as he pushed Guren towards the door of his bedroom.

Turning back Guren grabbed his tie and pulled it on and said, “I’m returning to my district tonight so I don’t need to crash here.” His head was spinning. Shinya had just kissed him, and told him to be careful. What were they newlyweds? Why was he acting so damn cute all of the sudden? But was this really all of the sudden? He needed to get out of this room, now.

“Is your investigation over then,” Shinya asked picking up the tiger from the futon, and following Guren to the door.

The raven started to pull on his shoes, “No, but we just need to regroup, re-file, and reanalysis our approach.”

“Take it easy, big guy, that sounds like some mighty difficult stuff you have to do in that other district that us mere country folk can’t handle, right Byakkomaru?”

Guren pinched Shinya’s cheek, “You cheeky bastard. I shouldn’t be gone long. I’ll probably be back by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Just in time to crash at my place,” Shinya stuck out his tongue teasingly.

“Yep, well I have to run. See you, Shinya.”

“See ya,” Shinya waved with a sad smile on his face as he watched Guren leave.

After leaving Shinya’s place, he was attacked by the three women of the task force as they piled confidential paperwork onto him. As Shigure and Guren drove from Hinara to their own district his thoughts drifted to Shinya. He thought about how it would feel if he lived down the street from a mass murder investigation. The reason that Guren even became involved in law was because he didn’t want anyone else to die. He wanted to bring the evildoers to justice. However, he found that this world never have a low supply of wrongdoers.

Once Guren and Shigure arrived back at the law firm they were greeted by the rest of the staff. Then, Shigure set off to make phone calls as Guren dove into the mountain of paperwork. Three hours later, Guren was sporting a massive migration. The office had emptied slowly until he was the last one left. Filing the last document he turned to see Shigure heading in his direction.

“Ichinose, how are we looking?”

“There is a lot of evidence, but there is also a lot of loose ends.”

“Any suspects,” Shigure asked sitting on top of her desk.

“We have a few.” Guren handed the file of bios to the lawyer, “First, the wife’s sister. She is the person that will be receiving their life insurance once this is all cleared up.”

“Let me guess, the policy was recently increased?”

“Correct, as such she is immediately under suspicion.”

“Damn greedy people,” Shigure cursed shaking her head turning to the next file.

“Next, we have the mailman who, through his curiosity, walked through the entire crime scene incriminating himself.”

“That’s a real shame, but I highly doubt that this guy is the killer. More like he is just stupid.”

“Agreed, but we have to keep him on the list until the forensic team clears him of any suspicion.”

“Fair enough, next.”

“Finally, one of the Hiiragi family members.”

Shigure looked at the family photo, “You do not have a clear suspect?”

“I’m not sure, but I can say that this one,” Guren pointed to Shinya, “Has an alibi for the night of the murder. However, the rest of them are suspects since we believe one of the causes for murder is the rare tea set; which was originally crafted by the Hiiragi. Additionally, I checked the registry and the Noguchi family were regulars at the Tea House.”

Shigure sat in silence for a moment, “We shall keep our minds open, but I’m sure you know which is the most suspicious.”

“I do.”

“Alright, well that is enough for tonight. Let’s call it a night,” the lawyer hopped off her desk and gathered her belongings.

Grabbing his briefcase Guren followed Shigure to the door.

“Shin~ya,” Shinoa playfully called from the doorway of his room.

“What is it, Shinoa,” the white haired man asked not looking up from the cups he was painting.

“Oh nothing. I just wanted to talk to you, but I guess you’re busy.”

“Ok.”

“I guess it will just be your loss,” she shrugged starting to walk away.

Looking up Shinya smiled, “Why don’t you come in, Shinoa?”

Hurrying into the room she closed the door, “I might have heard something about everyone going out tonight. Now I guess you can sneak out and meet your friend who has been sleeping over, right?”

“What,” Shinya’s face grew paler than normal.

“C’mon, my room is next door. Why would one person need to use the shower twice? You don’t smell that bad.”

Shinya got to his feet and grabbed her arm, “You didn’t tell anyone did you?”

“Of course not, Romeo is safe,” Shinoa giggled. “Anyway, Mahiru sent me up here to see how you were feeling. Are you sick or something?”

“I told her I wasn’t feeling well before.”

Looking him over Shinoa nodded, “I see. We all get like that around her. I’ll cover for you so have a good time tonight.”

“Thanks,” Shinya smiled more to himself than Shinoa as she walked out of his room.

God, Guren needed a drink. He decided against heading straight home instead Guren turned down the sidestreet in the direction of Goshi’s bar. Opening the door, Guren found that it was mostly deserted, but Goshi still waved him in from behind the bar. “Guren, you’re back so soon. How is the case going? Everyone is talking about how Shigure and you are working in Hinara.”

“It is going, I guess.”

“That’s always a start,” Goshi puffed. He turned to a boy Guren had not noticed when he first entered, “This is Yuichiro Hyakuya. I hired him as an extra hand around here.”

Yuu looked smugly at Guren, “If you can’t handle your liquor please don’t throw up here. I just cleaned.”

“Great you hired a little shit,” Guren narrowed his eyes at the small raven on the other side of the bar.

Goshi finished making Guren’s usual and asked, “Want to come into one of the private rooms with me and talk?”

“What about the bar?”

“Yuu can handle it,” Goshi ensured him as he grabbed a drink for himself.

The two men headed into a private room together and Guren took a sip of his usual, “God, Goshi, this case is kicking my ass.”

“Shinya, told me that it happened on his street. I thought that I would hear more, but after that I received nothing.”

“Oh, I’ve been crashing at his place since I’ve been investigating over there. I told you this case is crazy. First the hotel that we were going to stay at can house us so we had to find our own lodgings. So I have been bunking at Shinya’s and his family is crazy, but I guess he isn’t a bad guy. W-What—”

Guren noticed Goshi’s smile as he listen to the raven ramble. Goshi shook his head, “Nothing, it’s just as much as you were saying it was a hassle that you had to stay over Shinya’s you didn’t seem that bothered.”

“Don’t you see how stressed I am. I feel like I could pull my hair out.”

Goshi chuckled,“Now that you know more about Shinya what do you think about his family?”

“They are strange they act as if everything is beneath them, including Shinya. What is up with that? He acts like a scared child when he is with them. On the other hand, when we are alone together he is like a different person.”

“You know that he is not really a son of the Hiiragi family, right?”

Guren’s eyes widen, “What?”

“His is engaged to the oldest daughter, Mahiru. So he has been taken in by the family: learned the art of the tea ceremony, took their last name, and will one day take their daughter.”

Guren’s head was spinning, and he knew for a fact that it wasn’t from the alcohol. “Does he love her,” was the only question that escaped Guren.

“Of course not, dude, have you meet her? She is the devil incarnate. She hates him, and he hates her. However, neither of them can escape the engagement so now she is determined to make his life a living hell. And she does, Guren. Shinya told me a story about a stuffed tiger he was given when he was a little kid by his real parents. When Mahiru realized how much he loved the toy she made him bury it in the nearby park.”

Goshi took a long pull from his pipe, “She prides herself with striping away his happiness.” Guren thought back to the dirty stuffed tiger that Shinya always slept with and a smile came across his face. Goshi asked, “So how was staying at Shinya’s place? Anything exciting happen?”

Guren’s cheeks turned red as he mumbled, “Shinya kissed me.”

“Are you serious? What did you do? Did you like it?”

“But I don’t know how I feel about him, or anything like that. I mean it was just Shinya. Maybe it was a joke or something,” Guren could feel how hot his face was getting. “Anyway we are just friends.”

Suddenly the sound of a piano playing floated into the room, and Guren smiled before he headed out of the room. Goshi shook his head, “Poor, Guren, that’s not how a ‘just friend’ acts.”

Guren opened the door to find Shinya standing up from the piano to accept the scattered applause. The white haired man sat at the bar and asked for something Guren couldn’t hear. Following him, Guren sat at the bar, “When I said I wouldn’t be in tonight it didn’t mean that you had to come all the way over here to see me.”

Shinya turned to face Guren as his glass was placed before him, “Guren! I’m happy that I was able to see you tonight, but I didn’t come here just for you. Actually, everyone is out tonight so I decided to take it upon myself to come over.”

“Why?”

Taking a sip of his drink Shinya recoiled sticking out his tongue in disgust, “Yuichiro, be careful when you are stirring it not to be too aggressive because it will turn sour and spoil the drink.”

Guren took the glass from Shinya’s hands and took a sip. Resulting in a similar reaction, “Brat, this drink taste like ass. Fix it.”

Yuu came over and glared at the two of them, “Fine, I heard your complaints the first time.”

Goshi ruffled the young bartender’s hair, “Relax, Yuu, they are just trying to get under your skin. I know you are learning. Let me handle these two.”

Guren pointed at the raven behind the bar, “One day I want a solid drink from that kid or I won’t be satisfied with him.”

Shinya gently bumped Guren, “Relax, he is still learning.”

Goshi started fixing a glass, “Will you be sharing one glass or do you want two this time.”

Shinya raised his eyebrows at Guren, “I didn’t realize that I was sharing my last one.”

“Get over it, and I will be checking this one as well.”

“Ok, Guren,” Shinya smiled warmly.

Goshi placed the drink down and Guren took a slip, “It’s good.”

Shinya chuckled slightly covering his mouth with his hand, “Thank you. Mr. Critic.”

“Shinya, how do you get home after this?”

Placing his glass down Shinya replied, “I just take the bullet train.”

“Ok, I have something I want to show you before you leave.”

Goshi smiled to himself as he replaced the glasses to their shelves. The bartender waved his friends goodbye as they left together. “Enjoy it, Shinya, it is truly a wonder.”

Yuu frowned, “Where are they going that is so great? The station? Old people sure get a kick out of the weirdest things.”

Chapter Text

“Where are we going, Guren,” Shinya asked as he allowed the raven to pull him by his hand through the network of side streets. “We aren’t lost, right?”

“Shut up, Shinya?”

“Ok, well I was just asking,” Shinya smiled as his hair flapped against his forehead.

Finally, they came to a halt behind a group of children. One of the little girls approached them, “Mr. Ichinose, you came back! Who is this?”

“This is my friend.”

Shinya smiled and waved at the children, “Nice to meet you. I’m Shinya.”

The girl smiled, “Mr.Ichinose and Shinya, it should start any minute.”

Shinya smiled, but his brows furrowed in confusion. Guren poked the white haired man’s forehead, “Just trust me.”

They stood in silence for a few minutes, “What is suppose to be happening?”

“This,” Guren smiled as he held out his arms.

Shinya looked up and his mouth fell open as snow started to fall from the sky. He reached for it in surprise, “Was it supposed to snow, tonight?”

“It is the middle of November, but it is not supposed to snow tonight, no.”

“Then how?”

The children were cheering as they played in the snow, “The man that lives here works for movies and when he has extra materials he let’s the children of this neighborhood play. Touch it, the snow is not real. However, it is a hidden treasure of this district that few know about. Escape the world of reality by entering a perfect winter wonderland.”

Shinya held out his hand, and confirmed what Guren had said. “I don’t care if it is real snow or fake. I love it, Guren,” Shinya chuckled and his hand came up to slightly cover his mouth. Guren was captivated at the image before him: white hair contrasted beautifully against the fake snow, and the pale hand that slightly covered those genuinely smiling lips. Gently pulling Shinya’s hand away from his mouth Guren replaced it with his own lips.

Soft. Was the first thought that came to mind about kissing Shinya. His lips were soft, His skin was soft, and his hair was soft. Suddenly something hit the raven in the back of the head, and Guren turned to see all of the children making kissy faces at him. “What was that for?”

One of the boys stuck out his tongue, “The snow is for fighting not kissing.”

“I have to get back anyway, Guren,” Shinya added holding out his hand.

Taking the white haired man’s outstretched hand Guren followed him down the side street, “Do you know where you are going?”

“Nope,” Shinya smiled over his shoulder.

“You’re hopeless,” the raven walked passed him and took up the lead again.

After they walked for a few minutes Sinya finally asked, “Did that kiss mean that you like me, Guren?”

Guren’s face felt hot, “What else could it have meant you, idiot?”

“Then,” Shinya was acting uncharacteristically shy, “could you kiss me again?”

“What?”

“I mean I want a re-do now that those kids are not here,” Shinya tilted his head to the side, one eyebrow tempting the raven to move.

Guren gently backed Shinya against the nearby brick wall, and let their lips smoothly glide over each other. Blue eyes fluttered closed as slender arms wound around Guren’s neck. Guren’s hands slide from Shinya’s back down to his waist pulling them closer arching the white haired man’s body off the wall. Guren gently nibbled on Shinya’s lower lip until Shinya gasped opening his mouth to Guren’s exploration.

Suddenly, Guren’s phone rang cause both of them to break their kiss. The raven’s one hand still radiated warmth through Shinya’s body as it rested on his waist.

Pulling out his phone Guren read the name on it, and answered once he was sure his breathing was level, “Hello, it’s Ichinose.”

Shinya leaned against Guren’s chest and heard how hard the raven’s heart was hammering. Smiling to himself he listened to the gentle hum of Guren’s voice as he answered whoever he was on the phone with. Shinya remained silent until the call ended and Guren rubbed his temples, “Sorry about that. I guess the mood is ruined again.”

“So who was that? Or can you not answer that because that is confidential case information. And as a possible suspect I cannot know such information,” Shinya adopted a mocking voice towards the end.

Guren took Shinya’s hand as they started to head towards the station again, “I can tell you because I trust you, and I know you were not the murderer. It was Shigure, the lawyer I work for, and she just confirmed that one of the suspects was cleared. Forensics just checked his prints against those found at the scene, and they weren’t a match.”

“If it is that easy to clear someone then why don’t you just have everyone in town give you fingerprints?”

“I wish I could, but some people don’t want to. They say it is an invasion of personal privacy.”

“Do they not want to know who killed that family,” Shinya questioned his hand tightening in Guren’s.

“Some people don’t honestly care as long as they are not next.”

They made it out of the network of side streets, and back to the subway. Releasing each other’s hands they waited for their trains at the platform. Shinya held out his hand, “Guren, give me your phone.”

Hesitantly following Shinya’s request he watched as the white haired man took a selfie then typed a few things, “Alright, I put my contact information and photo in for you. Here, do the same.”

Guren did as he was told, and tried several times to take a good photo. Shinya ended up taking the phone from him, “It’s fine you don’t have to try so hard. Give it to me. I’ll text you later,” the white haired man chimed as he saved everything. “Good night, Guren,” Shinya quickly kissed the raven’s cheek before running to his train.
Standing on the platform, Guren touched his cheek where Shinya had just kissed him. “Night, Shinya,” Guren breathed as he watched the white haired man’s train pull away from the station.

Every night that Shinya managed to sneak back into his house after slipping out is a miracle in itself. This night made Shinya just feel all the more excited. Even though he wouldn’t be returning to a futon with a grumpy raven, he had just spent the whole evening with said raven. Maybe he should ask Shinoa if she would allow Guren to come in through her bedroom like Shinya does when he comes home in secret. Using Shinoa’s room, a person could sneak into the house even if they were alone. Plus the bathroom between her and Shinya’s room was connected so no one would know. Shinya stepped into his room, drying his hair, when he noticed a box sitting on his desk.

Confused he walked over to the box, and pulled off the lid. Blue eyes widened in shock and his hands started shaking. “No way. How? Why?” Shinya’s hands fumbled around the desk searching for his phone. His family was still not home, and he was alone. Turning he looked at his futon, and saw that it was messed up slightly compared to when he had left it that night. “Where is my phone,” Shinya whimpered.

Blue eyes darted around the room in terror until he finally saw it poking from his bag. Hands trembling he pulled up Guren’s contact and called. A gruff questioning, “Shinya,” answered.

At the sound of his name Shinya fell to his knees as tears slid down his face, “Guren.”

“Hey, Shinya, what’s wrong,” Guren filled with concern as he snapped to alertness.

“Guren, I just got home, and I—”

“Are you alright? What happened?”

Taking a deep breath Shinya tried to calm himself. He needed to pull himself together. He needed to explain what was wrong, “Guren, I came home and inside my room I found a package.”

“Someone was inside your room?” Shinya could hear the sounds of Guren fumbling around on the other end of the phone.

“It looks like it,” Shinya looked around, “My futon is messed up.”

“Is anyone home, now?”

“No, I’m alone,” Shinya’s lower lip trembled.

“What was in the package, Shinya?”

“The set.”

“The set,” Guren asked confused.

“The Tea Set that we sold to the Noguchi family, Guren! It is missing a cup, and one of them is chipped and covered in blood,” Shinya’s entire body was trembling.

“What do I do, Guren?”

“I’m coming for you, Shinya. I have to call this into Shigure so—”

“—NO, Guren, please don’t hang up. Don’t leave me alone.”

“Ok I’ll call her on my house line, but you are going to have to do something for me.”

“What?”

“You are going to have to see if there is anyone else in the house. Can you do that?”

Shinya was silent for a second, but he pulled Byakkomaru out of his draw, “I can do it.”

Chapter Text

“Ichinose, slow down. If you get caught speeding you are going to get a ticket,” Shigure advised from the passenger seat.

Guren simply nodded, not trusting his voice, and he slowed to a stop at the red light. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he glared at the red light willing it to change to green. The phone call from Shinya would have rattled anyone, but now Guren just wanted to be by his side. Mere hours ago they were in each other’s arms whispering sweet nothings to each other, and now Shinya was being harassed by the murder. The light turned green and Guren resumed his previous speed.

He needed to see Shinya. Guren could admit that Shinya was cute the way he snuggled up to the stuffed tiger. The way Shinya’s blue eyes softened as he focused on painting, and white hair framed his face. Guren gripped the wheel tighter remembering how small and cold Shinya’s hands were in his own. Turning down the street Guren saw two police cars and an ambulance flashing their lights down the street. The hairs on the back of the raven’s neck stood on end as he pulled to the side of the road.

He jumped out of the car and Shigure grabbed his arm, “Please, don’t act hastily. I don’t know what has made you so stir crazy, but act professionally.”

The lawyer duo walked toward the yellow crime scene tape and were greeted by Mito, “Male, twenty-four, called the station claiming he discovered a piece of evidence that was planted in his room. So far he is being cooperative with us. He allowed us to fingerprint him and take a DNA swab, but he is shaken up pretty bad.”

Shigure followed Mito under the tape, “Who is he?”

“Name’s Shinya Hiiragi. He confessed to finding the box on his desk, and opening it. Inside was the missing tea set from the crime scene. He apparently freaked out when he saw the blood, and he then started noticing things out of place in his room. After that he claimed that he searched his house for an intruder, but he was alone. Then, he called the police in hysterics, and that’s when we showed up.”

Shigure finished writing something and looked at a file, “Where is the rest of the Hiiragi family?”

Mito flipped the page in her note book scanning the contents, “He said that they are out at a hotel, and he didn’t go because he was pretending to be sick.”

The three of them walked further into the scene until Guren finally saw him. Shinya was sitting on a stretcher nodding slowly to a nearby medical assistant. A blanket was wrapped around his shoulders, and all that he wore was a baggy T-shirt with a pair of boxers. Shinya’s usually neat hair was ruffled and sticking up in odd spots.

“Sayuri is inside now with her team taking pictures, and collecting the tea set,” Mito informed.

Shigure pointed at Shinya, “Has he said anything besides answering your direct questions?”

“No.”

“Ichinose, could you talk to him? I want to know what happened in there.”

“In the meanwhile, we are going to head inside, and see how Sayuri is doing,” Mito told Guren.

Shinya shivered in the cold November air, and the medical assistant handed Shinya a button down shirt, “Sorry, this is all we have for you to cover you up with.” Taking it Shinya thanked the man and slid it on.

Guren walked towards Shinya. When the raven drew closer the medical assistant drew away giving them space. Reaching out Guren gently touched Shinya’s trembling fingers and finished buttoning up the button down shirt for him. Guren weakly muttered, “Hey.”

Shinya looked up, “Hey.”

“Are you okay,” Guren asked as he stood before the other.

“What is going to happen now? Do they think that I did it?”

Guren placed his hands on Shinya’s shoulders, “Relax. They took your fingerprints, and that will clear your name. You have nothing to worry about.”

Shinya exhaled deeply, and he looked up into violet eyes, “Why would someone want to frame me?”

“The important question is how would someone know that you were out?”

“Well, I was supposed to go with my family,” Shinya grimaced at the though, part of his normal self returning.

Guren squeezed Shinya’s shoulders causing the white haired man to look up in surprise, “Shinya, don’t worry. Nothing bad will happen to you. I will find who is trying to frame you. I will find who is behind this crime. And I will make this neighborhood safe again.”

Shinya burst into laugher making several nearby officers look at them. Wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes as his laughter subsided Shinya chuckled, “Those are some grand promises, Mr. Paralegal. I thought you told me that you don’t do the dangerous part of the job.”

Guren was thankful that it was night so only Shinya could see how embarrassingly red his face had just turned, “Shut up.”

A soft smile crossed Shinya’s face, “Thank you, Guren.”

Headlights flashed in Guren’s face and he held up his hand to block the light. A few officers ran towards the car that just pulled up as someone shouted “Ichinose, make sure the suspect doesn’t go anywhere.”

Guren moved closer moving one of his hands to Shinya’s hips, “You better not go anywhere.”

The raven jolted as Shinya’s pinky linked with his, “Yes, officer.”

“I’m not an officer.”

“SHINYA,” A woman’s voice ripped through the air.

Guren felt Shinya stiffen at the sound of the voice, “What’s wrong?”

An officer said, “Ma’am, I’m sorry but you cannot enter the crime tape.”

“That is my house. Where is Shinya? Where is my finacé?”

Guren turned to see a woman standing on the other side of the yellow crime scene tape with long flowing purple hair. Shigure walked up to the girl, “Is there something that I can do for you?”

“I want to know where my fiancé, Shinya Hiiragi, has been moved. He was in our house while we were out.” A tear rolled down her cheek, “Please, I just need to know if he is alright.”

Shinya looked away from the scene Mahiru was causing at the edge of the crime tape, and he released his hold on Guren’s finger. Mito looked over her shoulder, “Ichinose, bring him here.”

Guren nodded, “Shinya, come on. It’s time for you to go back to your fiancé.”

His voice felt forced and stiff. They both knew it, but Shinya’s wasn’t any better, “Thank Goodness.” The smile on Shinya’s face had a hollow feeling. Together they walked to the edge of the crime tape.

Mito turned to Shinya, “Thank you for your cooperation. The results for the fingerprints and the swab will be in soon, and then we can go from there.”

Mahiru put her hands on her hips, “So you are now just blaming my finacé?”

Shinya turned to her, “The missing tea set was found in my room covered in blood.”

“What,” her eyes widened, “Shinya—”

“—I called the police when I found it, and now they can do what they want with it.”

Shigure stepped forward, “We wish to further investigate the Tea House so we booked you a suit in a nearby hotel for your whole family. Since we cannot detain you, Mr. Hiiragi, you are free to go.”

Two officers lifted the crime tape up as Shinya slipped under, and Mahiru pulled him into an embrace. She pulled him into a kiss, and he gently wrapped his arms around her waist. Guren turned his back on them, and looked down at the report in his hands. Shigure waved him over, “Ichinose, come up to the suspect’s room.” Honestly, Shinya’s room was one of the last place he wanted to be right now. He felt frustrated and annoyed. He climbed the stairs and entered the bedroom to find Sayuri taking a picture of Shinya’s futon.

The room held memories of him and Shinya, and that alone was enough for Guren to hate that all these people were in here. It also smelled like Shinya the sweet smell of lavender and honey. Glancing out the window, Guren watched as the black BMW with Hiiragi family in it started to drive down the street. Shigure poked Guren in the side, “Ichinose, I left my file downstairs could you go get it for me?”

“Whatever,” Guren turned and stormed down the stairs.

Mito looked after him, “What is his problem?”

Shigure shrugged, “He likes his sleep, and he has not got his eight hours yet.”

“Oh please, stop being such a princess,” Mito sneered.

The hotel room door closed behind Mahiru, “How thoughtful of the Police Department. They saw that we were engaged and gave us one bed.”

Shinya turned from the window and answered bitterly, “Very thoughtful.”

“So, Shinya, did you do it. You know if you did kill that family you could tell me. I wouldn’t judge you,” she asked as she sat on the edge of the mattress.

“Are you kidding me! I didn’t kill them,” Shinya spat as he closed the distance between them, “How could you even think I would kill someone?”

Standing she started popping the buttons of his shirt, but her eyes were locked on his, “I think you want to kill me.” She slid his button down shirt onto the floor revealing the baggy T-shirt, “Am I right?”

“You may deserve it, but I would never kill you.”

“Do you love me, Shinya?”

“You don’t love me. Why should I try and fight a losing battle?”

Sliding her arms up his chest Mahiru asked, “Is there someone else you love?” Shinya was silent, and Mahiru giggled, “Naughty, Shinya, who would have thought that you would have been brave enough to cheat on me.”

“Everyone wants to be loved,” Shinya glared.

“True, but remember what I told you when we first became engaged?” Her hands slid up to his neck and started to squeeze, “You don’t get to be happy. Only I get to be.”

Shinya grabbed her wrist and pulled them away from his neck, “Cut the crap. I have let you do whatever you want, but why? Why do I have to listen to you?”

“Because I am your fiancé.”

Shinya shoved her so that she fell backwards onto the bed. Climbing on top of her Shinya pinned her to the mattress, “I finally have the chance to be happy, and I refuse to let you stop me. Now stay here, and let me go”

Releasing her Shinya picked up the button down shirt from the ground, and headed for the door. “Congratulations, Shinya, you were right. You always do get away, but what about Mr. Paralegal?”

“What did you say,” Shinya turned from turn to look at Mahiru.

“Isn’t that what you said at the bar?”

“How did you know?”

“Please, dear, who do you think I am?” She sat up on the bed, “I had someone follow you, duh.”

“Impossible.”

“Possible, and who knew you put your piano lessons to use at so run down bar in another district. Look at you getting around. Flirting with the paralegal. So have the two of you done it yet?”

“Shut up,” Shinya felt like his heart was going to explode. This was too much for him to handle. “Why did you do this?”

“I wanted to know where my fiancé was sneaking off to in the middle of the night.”

“If you have been tailing me then you know that I am not the murderer since the murder happened while I was at the piano bar.”

Mahiru laughed as she walked to Shinya’s side, “Of course, I know that you are not the murderer.” Leaning in she whispered into his ear, “Because I am.”

Shinya’s eyes widened, “What?”

Mahiru wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his face, “Now that you know what I am capable of you better listen to what I have to say. Become obedient once again, Shinya, and we won’t have anymore issues.”

“What do you want,” Shinya asked flatly.

“Do not try to run from me, be my fiancé once again, and we can go back to the way things use to be.”

Shinya smirked, “Honestly, death sounds like the better option.”

“I don’t think that I can catch you,” she pressed her lips to his, “However, there is one way to chain you to me. Step out of line, and I will have to kill the Paralegal.”

“No, Mahiru, please.” Shinya felt like there wasn’t enough air in the room. He was slowly suffocating due to her sickly sweet smile of victory.

“And you cannot tell him or anyone else about this or I will terminate him immediately. Believe me, Shinya, I can.”

Shinya did believe her, and that was what scared him the most. Pushing past the lump in his throat Shinya asked, “Why? Why do you want me so badly? You don’t even love me?”

Brushing his bangs back she smiled, “I just want to have everything, and I don’t want anyone to best me. It’s that simple so don’t flatter yourself. You are simply part of my conquest.”

“Come quietly and no one gets hurt,” Shinya asked with his head bowed.

“Yes, and that is the end of this conversation. Take me to bed, Shinya.”

The red numbers of the hotel clock read 3:48am. Shinya slipped out of the bed, insuring that he grabbed his phone, before he headed to the bathroom. The bathroom was on the other side of the suite, and Shinya silently crept passed the other closed doors. Once safely inside the bathroom he opened his phone pulling up Guren’s contact. The horrible photo greeted Shinya, and he slide down the bathroom wall. His heart could not handle this pain.

Tears slide down smooth cheeks as he let out something between a laugh and a sob. Hugging his knees with one arm; while still holding the phone with the other Shinya sat trying to comfort himself. He just wanted this pain to end. He wanted to see Guren again. Biting down on his trembling lower lip Shinya let his head fall onto his knees, his phone clattering to the floor. He just wanted to hear that gruff voice call his name once more, and say that he loved him.

However, their happiness was over. Shinya was going to end what was between them to protect Guren because he loved him. He was ripping himself apart like this because of how much he loved Guren. When had it turned from liked to love? It didn’t really matter now.

Shinya prayed that Guren would understand. Turning his head to the side to look at the raven’s photo Shinya closed his eyes. Of course, Guren wouldn’t understand because Shinya couldn’t tell him anything. Guren would probably be extremely upset, or maybe he would just be pissed.

Either way he would stay away from Shinya, and be safe. Shinya hugged his legs tighter. Guren’s safety and future happiness was all that Shinya could ever hope for now. A knock at the bathroom door made Shinya bolt upright. His thoughts flashed to Mahiru, but he was greeted by a different voice. Shinoa softly asked, “Can I come in?”

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Shinya tried to lie.

Opening the door anyway Shinoa walked in, “No you are not.” Closing the door behind her Shinoa bent down and hugged Shinya, “Whatever she did to you I’m sorry. If you need to cry let it out now while everyone is asleep. I won’t ask any questions. I’ll just be here for you.”

Shinya turned overflowing blue eyes to her, “I really did love him, Shinoa.”

“Then what are you doing here with us, silly,” she smiled pushing back a stray piece of hair.

“I love Guren so I must let him go to protect him, but it hurts so much,” the rest of his sentence was buried under a flood of tears.

Shinoa gently welcomed him into her arms as he sobbed until he passed out on the bathroom floor. Looking around Shinoa noticed Shinya’s phone laying open. “Is this the Guren you were crying your heart out for?” Quickly she sent the contact to herself, and once she was sure that she received it she closed Shinya’s contacts.

Chapter Text

The office door opened as Sayuri walked in holding a folder, “Sorry that I’m late. I just finished collecting the last document from the forensic team on the tea set.”

The rest of the Task Force sat gathered around the table with charts, pictures, and theories scattered across the table as Sayuri found her seat. Mito shuffled the cluster of documents into order so that Sayuri would have some room to lay out her findings. With a small whisper of thanks Sayuri opened the folder and started laying out pictures of the tea set. “Theses are pictures of the tea sets that we have taken from the Hiiragi household.”

Shigure flipped through her notes, “It matches the description given by Shinya Hiiragi about the tea set that Aoi Hiiragi sold the Noguchi family.”

“About Shinya Hiiragi, we compared his prints to those we found on the cups and inside of the box, but none of them matched.”

Guren released a breath that he didn’t realize that he had been holding in. He had always knew that Shinya was innocent, but now his name was cleared for the other members of the team. Sayuri presented a picture of the closed box that the tea set was found in, “His prints were found only on the outside of the box. On the corner, where someone would open the box.”

“Or close it,” Mito interjected.

“Actually his fingerprints are positioned only for opening. There is another set of fingerprints discovered closing the box.”

Guren took notes, “And do you know whose blood is on the cup?”

“We confirmed that one of the donors is the father of the Noguchi family.”

“One of the donors,” Shigure asked, “How many donors are there?”

“We discovered two different blood samples. We also found a few prints and I believe if we can identify the owner of those prints we can catch the killer. We found a fingerprint that dried in the blood, another on the outside of the box, and a third one that we almost didn’t see on the inside of one of the cups. We are currently running the prints through the system.”

“We are running out of time,” Shigure murmured.

A knock at the door made them all look up, and Sayuri ran over and opened the door. A young man bowed and handed over a folder, “This just came in from analysis.”

Sayuri opened the folder and her mouth fell open, “There is a partial match to the print that dried in the blood.”

Mito jumped to her feet, “Who is it?”

“The print belongs to Kureto Hiiragi, heir to the Hiiragi Tea House.”

“Bring him in for questioning,” Shigure snapped.

Guren sat in the passenger seat as he flipped through his phone and read the last few messages between him and Shinya.

Shinya: Guren, please leave me alone. I don’t want to see you any more.

Guren: Hey, are you alright? I know that you went through a lot today why don’t you just rest for tonight and we can talk tomorrow?

Shinya: If you try and message me again I won’t answer. I don’t want anything to do with you anymore.

Guren: Shinya, what did I do?

Guren: Shinya?

One missed call from Guren Ichinose. One new voicemail.

Guren: I don’t know what happen, but I hope that you’re okay. I’m always here if you need me. Please don’t worry about the murderer I’ll catch him, and keep you safe. I promise. G’night, I love you, Shinya. Call or text me when you’re feeling better.

In a few minutes, Guren would be within feet of Shinya, and he hoped that he could remain professional. Shigure turned to Guren, “We aren’t living up to our name are we?”

Guren turned to her, “What do you mean?”

“We are suppose to catch the killer before this case turns cold, but I fear that if it is not Kureto Hiiragi that we’ll be too late.”

“This case is starting to running cold. Time is running short, but if we can detain Kureto Hiiragi we might be able to answer this case. Sayuri also came to conclusion that Kureto might have been the one to asphyxiate the wife.”

Shigure nodded, “He definitely would be able to topple Mrs. Noguchi.” The car slowed to a stop before the hotel, and Shigure grabbed Guren’s sleeve, “Ichinose, I know something is troubling you, but I just need you to get through this with me, please.”

“Of course.”

Both of them exited the vehicle as police cars pulled up next to them, and together they headed into the hotel.

Shinoa sat silently in her room. Taking Guren Ichinose’s contact information from Shinya was definitely wise of her, but damn she just didn’t know how to go about executing her plan. Shinoa could just imagine the phone call, and it sent a shiver down her spin. Shaking her head she decided a text was probably a better option. Unlike Shinya, Shinoa wasn’t scared of Mahiru. Shinoa artfully navigated her smartass around the other purple haired girl because it was the easiest way to avoid a fight.

However, as much as Shinoa looked for an opportunity to cause Mahiru inconveniences something was bothering Shinoa. It was common knowledge that Shinya and Mahiru hated each other, and that they only hoped the worst for each other. Shinoa, herself, has seen Shinya cry a few times, but never as hard as last night. Glancing down at the horrible photo of the raven Shinoa smiled so is this the person that you truly love, Shinya? What on earth did she do to you?

In her empty room no one answered, and Shinoa slowly pressed ‘Compose Message’. Leave it to me, Shinya, I’ll fix everything. The only sound was the gentle clicking of keys as Shinoa prepared a message for Guren. Just as Shinoa was about to send it a knock echoed through the hotel room. Heart hammering Shinoa locked her phone clutching it close to her. However, the knock didn’t come from her personal room door, but the main hotel door.Exhaling the breath that she didn’t realize that she had been holding Shinoa pressed her ear to the door.

Meanwhile, Mahiru walked over to the front door opening it revealing Guren, Shigure, and two armed police officers. In a sweet voice laced with daggers Mahiru asked, “Mr. Paralegal, how are you?”

“Miss Mahiru, I’m here to bring Kureto down to the station with me,” Guren informed hoping she didn’t sense the venom in his voice.

“Sure, sure, anything for you.”

Kureto walked out of a nearby room, “What is this about?”

“We want you to come in for questioning concerning the tea set that was discovered inside of your estate late, last evening.”

“These idiot officers don’t even remember which Hiiragi they were taking to last night,” Kureto snarled, “Shinya get out here!” Shinya walked into view and Guren’s heart ached as he noticed Shinya’s red puffy eyes.

Guren finally found his voice after a few false starts, “Kureto Hiiragi, if you fail to accompany us willingly I have a warrant here that will allow me to take you down to the station for questioning by the district judge.”

“What the hell is this shit!”

Guren stole a final glance at Shinya before he whispered to the officers, “Take him away.”

Shinoa clutched her phone tightly whispering to herself, “These idiots.”

The door closed behind Guren as Aoi ran to Mahiru, “What are we going to do? They took Kureto!”

Mahiru shoved the blonde away from her, “First, you are going to get away from me. Secondly, we aren’t going to draw attention to ourselves. Kureto, knows how to handle those idiot policemen. He won’t get put in the slammer, and if he does than he deserves it.”

“Of course, Mahiru.”

“I swear, Aoi, if you give us away jail will be the least of your worries.”

Aoi nodded furiously, “Understood.”

Mito looked through the one-sided glass at Kureto, “He is so guilty that my fingers are tingling to cuff him.”

Shigure crossed her arms, “Relax we cannot confirm or deny that until we get the information from forensics.”

“His fingerprint was discovered in the blood on one of the major piece of evidence of this crime, and look at him he is definitely strong enough to smother a drugged woman.”

“Yes, but the courts don’t care about your opinions they want fact,” Guren interjected.

Mito narrowed her eyes at Guren, and was about to say something when the door suddenly flung open. Sayuri enters holding a folder, “You are not going to believe this.”

“Don’t tell me it’s not him,” Mito groaned grabbing the folder.

“It looks like there was more than one person in on this murder.”

Shigure paled, “What? We don’t have time for this.”

Sayuri bowed her head, “I understand. Forensics has been processing the pillowcase that covered the pillow that the wife was smothered with and we found the print that matched the one in the blood. Both of those prints match Kureto Hiiragi without a doubt. I even took another set of his prints when he entered our custody to double check. It is an identical match.”

Guren frowned, “So where is the part that I am not going to believe.”

“When forensics was analyzing the pillowcase for more prints we searched the pillow too.”

“No way,” Mito mumbled.

Sayuri nodded, “We found another set of prints on the pillow itself. And when we ran them through they came up without a match. However, I thought that since Kureto was our pillowcase man who would he trust to hold the pillow?”

“His sister,” Guren offered knowing how biased he was being.

Shigure raised an eyebrow at Guren before answering, “His wife.”

Sayuri nodded, “Yes, Aoi Hiiragi’s fingerprints were on the pillow.”

Mito held up a hand, “But why touch the pillow if you are smothering someone?”

Shigure’s eyes widened, “Because Kureto Hiiragi didn’t kill the wife. Kureto took the pillow case off, and Aoi smothered the drugged wife.”

Guren nodded, “Thusly leaving Kureto time to take care of the rest of the family.”

The group of four turned to look at the man sitting in the chair waiting for judgement on the other side of the one-sided glass. Guren turned to Shigure, “How do you want to do this?”

“This will be the long haul from here out. I think the best way to do this will be to have Mito interrogate Kureto to see what he has to say about the murder. I’ll go pick up Aoi. Sayuri, you should instruct your team what they should do in your absence, and then catch some sleep. Also, Ichinose, you should sleep too. We are going to need our team in top form as this comes to a close. We will catch them.”

Guren nodded, “Understood. Have we heard anything back about the guns used for the murder yet?”

Sayuri clutched her folder closer to her chest, “They are still being analysed.”

Shigure nodded, “Alright, we are going to need that as soon as it comes in.”

Everyone nodded and broke off into their designed tasks, and Guren headed into the parking lot. He sat in his car rubbing his eyes as the weariness finally hit him. He never realizes how tired he is until he finally sits down. Suddenly his phone jingled, and he picked it up seeing a message begging for his attention.

Unknown Number: Guren Ichinose, If you want to know about Shinya and the case meet me tonight at 7:30 at club Mitsuba. When you get there ask for private room 3.

Guren: Wait, who is this?

Guren: Hello?

Unknown Number: Just follow my instructions.

Guren: Fine

Unknown Number: See you at 7:30 ;)

Guren frowned at his phone. Who the hell is texting him? What do they know about Shinya? Can he trust them?

Chapter Text

Probably against Guren’s better judgement he arrived at Mitsuba at 7:30, and was escorted by a girl with long, blonde twin ponytails. “This is the private room. Good luck,” the girl smiled wickedly.

Opening the door Guren noticed that the lights were dimmed and the figure sitting at the table waiting for him was shrouded in shadows. Slowly Guren sat down at the table, “Alright, so I came as you asked. Now tell me. Who are you?”

The figure leaned forward and a flash of purple made Guren jerk in his chair. It is Mahiru! However, the girl reached for the light next to the table brightening up the scene revealing her face. Guren placed a hand on his chest trying to sooth his hammering heart. In the soft light Guren registered that the girl before him was in fact not Mahiru. She only shared the same mane of flowing purple hair. The shape of her face was gentler, her eyes twinkled with playful kindness. The girl held her hand over table, “Shinoa Hiiragi, sorry that I gave you such a fright. However, when you look like the devil incarnate sometimes you have to use it to your advantage. You should have seen your face.”

“Guren Ichinose,” Guren took her small hand in his own.

“Thanks for coming to see me.” Guren nodded as Shinoa continued, “Did you see Shinya this morning?”

“Yes, his eyes were all red.”

“Do you want to know why?”

There was a beat of silence before Guren locked eyes with Shinoa, “Tell me what happened.”

“Well, Mahiru refuses to allow Shinya to be happy, that is her common practice, and he is the happiest that I have ever seen him lately. I’m guess that his suddenly happiness has something to do with you. So she forbid him to see you, or she would do something terrible to you.”

“Something to me?”

“Mahiru always has a way of removing things that get in her way.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, but just to let you know in my family she calls the shots. Kureto is completely loyal to her, and Aoi is completely loyal to her husband. Thus, Mahiru has a little army forming.”

“Are you saying that she is behind the murder?”

“That would probably be a good guess since you took Kureto away, and my guess is that his wife is due to be taken too.”

“How do you—”

“Kureto is lazy and if he could have Aoi breath for him he would. You should tell your friends at the police station to take Mahiru in now before she runs.”

“Where would she go?”

Shinoa tossed her hair over her shoulder, “How would I know? I’m not crazy like her. I’m just telling you that Mahiru won’t stay, and she won’t leave empty handed. She will take leverage over the police if you give her enough time.”

“A hostage,” Guren breathed.

Shinoa narrowed her eyes, “Do you really love Shinya?”

“I love him more than I love myself. He is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

It took Shinoa a minute to respond because she was trying to not choke on her spit, “I don’t know where she will go, but she will probably take him with her. As a side note, you will be able to see Shinya tonight around 9:30 at the Grand Junko Hotel with the rest of the family. Knowing you, Guren, I’m sure you could get Shinya to step aside of a second. However, just to let you know this a five star hotel,” she glanced over his appearance.

Guren got to his feet, “I will not lose him again.”

Shinoa stood and hugged Guren, “Please, save him.”

Pulling Shinoa close to him, “Thank you.”

“Best of luck.”

“Are you going to the Grand Junko Hotel too?”

“No way! I have a life to live. I said I was going to a friend’s. Plus, I hate the main family almost as much as Shinya. Why would I want to parade around a hotel with them?”
Chuckling Guren waved, “Alright. Thanks again,” Guren shouted as he ran from the room.

Sayuri’s pager jingled on her hip and registered the message from her assistant. After reading the page she abruptly turned around in the hallway to headed to the Center for Ballistic Analysis. After scanning her identification badge and being granted access via sliding glass door she was greeted by a blond male wearing a white lab coat, clear goggles, and a pair of gloves. “Mika, you said you found something. Please, tell me that it is something good,” Sayuri insisted sliding on her own lab coat, goggles, and gloves.

Mika pointed at one of the handguns in a red bin before him, “This is one of the guns that was retrieved from the Noguchi household. After looking at the registry, I discovered that it is legally registered under the deceased husband. Also, after performing several tests on the guns I was able to pull several sets of fingerprints.”
“Several,” Sayuri breathed taking the report from Mika.

“One of the sets belonged to Kureto Hiiragi, and another belonged to his wife.”

Flipping the page in the report to show where certain prints matched the person listed in the file Sayuri informed Mika, “Both suspects are here or on their way to the station.”

“Sayuri, there was one more set of prints that I found on the gun. However, I couldn’t find a match to it in the database.” Mika walked over to Sayuri’s side, “It is only a partial print, but I’m sure that it doesn’t belong to either of the other two suspects. Neither of them have this fingerprint characteristic. I’m sure that there is another shooter out there.”

“Where was the print found?”

Mika turned the page and pointed at the picture, “The only place that I pulled it from was the trigger.”

Sayuri looked into blue eyes silent for a moment before she closed the folder. She placed the folder on the table, “Why am I not surprised to find out that the fingerprint was on the trigger?”

“I will continue looking for more data about the prints. The thing that was curious was that when I looked for prints on the second gun I wasn’t able to lift any?”

“Did you try—”

“Everything,” Mika cut her off.

Sayuri accepted the photos that Mika handed her. She flipped through the Ultraviolet photos and the clear lense photos, but still nothing. “Then the killer must have been wearing gloves.”

“I believe that our gunman is the person that pulled the trigger on the first gun.”

“But why switch guns? Were they out of bullets,” Sayuri looked at the inventory sheet, “It said that there was still four bullets left in the second gun. It doesn’t make sense.”

Mika shook his head. “I also identified the blood found on the second gun,” Mika reached over to pull a second red bin holding another hand gun to Sayuri’s attention.

“The blood covering the barrel belongs to Mr. Noguchi.”

Sayuri angled the gun for better viewing, “based off the blood splatter and the trajectory—”

“I already compared it to the mold of the wound on Mr. Noguchi’s skull, and it is a perfect match.”

“So our killer didn’t want to give him a painless death. Instead they caved in his skull with the barrel of the gun.”

Mika replaced the gun in it’s respectable bin before turning to pick up a large case, “Also about the tea cups. Based on the shards that we collected from the scene of the crime I can say that the set that we found in Shinya Hiiragi’s room is not a fake.”

“The pieces fit together?”

“Yes, and the blood splatter is perfectly aligned.” Mika held up a bag of shards, “that makes an entire cup if you believe me.”

Sayuri pulled off her gloves and discarded them in a nearby waste bin. She walked around the room collecting the folders of data before turning to exit the room. “Mika, could you look up those members of the Hiiragi family that have any affiliation with armed weapons. If they so much as breathed within ten miles of a gun I want a report on it.”

“Understood.”

“We will figure out who that partial print belongs to,” Sayuri declared exiting the Center for Ballistic Analysis.

Mika lifted the print sample up to the light, “I can tell you that the prints you have collected thus far do not match it. Kureto, Aoi, and Shinya did not pull the trigger, but that means that the killer is still unknown. For now.”

At 9:30 Guren arrived at the Grand Junko Hotel wearing a black suit with a red dress shirt. Instead of coming in through the front entrance he entered through the service quarters. Using his badge to pass the few workers by telling them that he already had permission to be on the premises. Checking Shinoa’s text for reference that he was going the right way, Guren entered a grand ballroom where people were dressed in some of the most elegant clothing Guren had ever seen. Men were dressed in either kimonos or hand tailored suits; while the women wore elegant ballgowns or kimonos.

A waiter handed Guren a glass of champagne and he took it and slipped into the crowd looking for a patch of white. Looking for Shinya. After thirty minutes, Guren was starting to become disheartened. Where could Shinya be? Then suddenly Guren saw him. His usually unruly white hair was neatly tamed, and he wore a sharp, clean white suit with a blue undershirt. A forced smile sat on his face; while Mahiru had her arm wrapped through his chatting happily to someone else. Looking around, Guren grabbed the plate of sushi rolls from the buffet table and started making his way towards Shinya.

Then as if by some magnetic force Shinya ripped his gaze from the conversation before him and his eyes flicked towards Guren. Slowly Guren’s eyes flicked towards the exit hinting to Shinya that he wanted to talk to him outside. In response, Shinya blinked his approval. Carefully making his way back through the crowd, Guren replaced the sushi to the table and headed out of the hall and waited by the door. Soon Shinya walked out the door looking around for Guren. Without a word Guren grabbed the familiar hand and dragged Shinya down the hall, turned the corner into another hallway, then found an empty room, and locked the door.

The two of them stared at each other for a moment until Shinya threw himself into Guren’s chest. His body was trembling as tears started slipping down his cheeks, “Guren, I’ve missed you so much.”

Shit Shinya was too cute. Encircling Shinya in his arms Guren pulled him close peppering kisses in his hair. Cupping Shinya’s cheeks, Guren used his thumbs to wipe away the tears, “Why are you crying? I saw you this morning.”

“Don’t leave me, Guren,” Shinya was trembling as he hugged Guren tighter.

Guren tilted Shinya’s face upward, “Listen to me. You were the one that didn’t reply back to me.”

“Because—because I wanted to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection. I want to protect you, stupid. So, please, stop crying. The only one that can hurt me is you.”

“I would never—”

“I know.” Guren kissed Shinya’s nose before whispering, “I love you, Shinya.”

“Guren—”

Guren’s lips pressed against Shinya’s and were happily welcomed. Guren’s one hand snaked back into Shinya’s hair deepening the kiss as Shinya’s mouth opened inviting Guren in. The kiss was salty from Shinya’s tears, and sweet from the champagne. Turning away from the kiss Shinya panted, “Wait, Guren, we can’t.”

“Why,” Guren asked his hands roaming down to trace Shinya’s spine then cup his firm butt.

“Ah, Guren,” red blush shot across Shinya’s face as he gasped. “I only said that I was going to the bathroom.”

Guren started unbuttoning Shinya’s dress shirt and running his hands over the pale torso, “Tell them that you got lost.”

“Guren, please,” Shinya moaned arching towards Guren’s touch as the raven’s tongue flicked his perked nipple.

“For someone that says he doesn’t want this you sure are moaning a lot.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m going to mark you, Shinya.”

“No, please, Mahiru will find out.”

“Who cares,” Guren leaned forward and started to kiss down Shinya’s neck.

“Not somewhere visible,” Shinya instructed lacing his fingers through Guren’s hair guiding him. Guren’s mouth attacked the center of his chest as Shinya threw his head back.

“Has she seen your body?”

“Well, she is my fiancé.” Anger started to boil in Guren’s chest, but Shinya’s soft fingers tracing over his own lips distracted Guren, “But you have seen something she has never seen.”

“What?”

“My smile,” Shinya smiled and softly pulled Guren’s face away from his chest and kissed his lips. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Shinya started to button up his top as Guren tried to rein in his desire to jump Shinya, “Hey, listen, about the murder investigation.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I think Mahiru is behind it.”

Shinya froze, “She is.”

“What? You knew?”

“She told me last night when she was threatening me. She said she killed them and that if I got any funny ideas that she wouldn’t mind killing you either.”

Guren grabbed Shinya’s shoulders, “I will not die. Do you hear me?”

“Of course, Mr. Paralegal” Shinya smirked.

“I will put her behind bars.”

“Yes, Yes.”

Guren’s thumb smoothed over Shinya’s cheek, “I will come back for you.”

Hugging the raven once again Shinya whispered, “If you die on me I will never forgive you. If you don’t come back I’ll kill you myself. Please, Guren, stay safe.”

“I love you, Shinya.”

After one final kiss they parted and Shinya returned to the party. Mahiru frowned, “That was a long bathroom break, dear.”

“I couldn’t find it, and then I got lost getting back here.”

Seishirō nodded, “The bathroom is a little difficult to locate in this building.”

Mahiru nodded letting Shinya’s excuse slide, for now.

Two hours have passed since Mahiru fell asleep, and Shinya slips out of bed walking down the hall into Shinoa’s room. The bed is empty since his sister-in-law said that she wanted to go see her friends tonight. It was common for Shinya and Mahiru not to share a bed. They didn’t sleep together back at their own house, and when they had to do it for social reasons Shinya usually stepped out in the middle of the night anyway. Mahiru enjoyed sleeping when the room was hot, and she enjoyed sleeping with at least five blankets. Hell’s inferno was too much for Shinya to endure for the entire night. What a surprise the devil incarnate could withstand it the entire night?

Sliding into the cool hotel sheets he unlocked his phone and pulled up Guren’s contact, Shinya: Hey, are you up?

Honestly Shinya was sure that the Paralegal was asleep, most people were at 4:30 in the morning. However, soon a text came in answer. Guren: I am, but why are you?

Shinya: Couldn’t sleep.

Guren: Is something wrong?

Shinya: Nope :p

Guren smiled down at his phone as laid in his bed. He needed to get up in about five hours to start his shift that would probably run until the case was solved. He should get some sleep.

Guren: That’s good. I have to get up soon to continue working on the case so I’ll talk to you later.

Shinya: Ok. Hurry and solve the case. That way we can pick up from today ;)

Guren buried his red face in his pillow. Turning shyly back to his phone he typed back Guren: Only for you

Shinya: Good night, Guren.

Guren: Night, Shinya.

Both shut their phones off and slipped into sleep dreaming for a brighter tomorrow where they could be together. However, Shinya did not hear the bedroom door open as a figure slipped inside. Her purple hair illuminated by the phone’s backlight as she started to read through his messages. Her eyes alight with anger as she whispered, “Someone has been a bad boy.”

Chapter Text

At the police station, Mito took a large swig of her coffee as she listened to Shigure’s report, “It seems as if both: Kureto Hiiragi and Aoi Hiiragi, know their story well.”

Mito slammed her hand on the table, “Even if it is the truth there would be slight variations. Fear, panic, and the desperation to be free causes people to distort the truth.”

“I understand. This can only mean one thing.”

“They are covering for someone.”

“The real mastermind behind this murder. That person would have been the one that planted the second gun next to the father in the basement.”

Sayuri clutched her folder, “That person could be the unidentifiable print at the current moment.”

Mito looked through the paperwork, “Ichinose mentioned earlier that the sister could be involved. What do you think about that?”

Shigure picked up Mahiru’s file, “Her IQ is through the roof. It wouldn’t surprise me if she planned this murder and planned for us to find her brother and sister-in-law.”

“But if she planned this far then she would know that we would get this far,” Shigure rubbed the back of her neck.

Sayuri slammed her hand down on the table, “If that is true—”

Shigure and Mito got to their feet as Shigure cursed, “She is going to run.”

Sayuri nodded, “When you bring her back here then we can compare her prints to those that we found on the guns, and then we can place her at the scene of the murder. Now that I have a prime suspect I can look up her prints in the database, and see if I can compare them to the particle that we collected. I can call Mika and—”

“Stay here, Sayuri. Shigure and I will intercept Mahiru. Let us know the second that you get news about that print,” Mito ordered pulling out her phone calling for the back-up units to assemble.

Mito slipped into her police car as Shigure hopped into the passenger seat. As they pulled out Mito announced over the radio, “Attention all units the top suspect of the mass murder investigation is Mahiru Hiiragi. We are currently heading to the hotel to catch her before she runs. If you see anyone matching the suspect's description report it immediately.”

“I hope we aren’t too late,” Shigure whispered.

The police cars circled the hotel as Mito and Shigure rode the elevator upward with four officers. “The staircases are being blockaded by my officers,” Mito assured the worried Shigure. They arrived before the hotel door and Mito stepped forward, “Hinara Police Department, open up. Hinara PD, open up.” Nothing met them but silence then Mito called once more, “This is Hinara PD we are coming in.” The police officers used the hotel key that they got from the front desk and looked around the hotel room, guns prepared.

An officer shouted, “Freeze, hands were I can see them.” A beat of silence and the officer announced, “I have Seishirō Hiiragi here.”

Seishirō frowned, “What the hell is happening?”

Then the radio on Mito’s belt crackled, “Deputy Mito, the Hiiragi father, Tenri, is down in the lobby.”

“Keep him there,” Mito answered.

“He just informed us that the youngest, Shinoa, stayed at a friends house last night.”

Mito growled over the radio, “Send the second squad to go find her.”

Shigure looked around panic starting to set in, “Where are Mahiru and Shinya?”

Mito covered her face, “We are too late.”

“I have Shinya Hiiragi right here, ma’am,” an officer called.

Mito smiled, “At least the innocent is safe.”

Shigure placed her hands on her hips, “There are two people here, but none of them answered the damn door.”

Mito checked her watch, “It is early. We probably scared them.”

“Let’s bring them all down to the station.”

The Hiiragi family was escorted from the hotel, and into the back of police cars. Shinya found himself in the backseat of Mito’s car. Mito asked, “Do you know where she is?”

“Despite popular belief I actually hate my fiancé. If I knew where she was I would personally escort you to her location.”

Shigure smiled, “By the time we get back Ichinose will be there. Then we can run everything by him. As much of an idiot as you make him out to be Mito; he is actually very insightful. There is no way that we would have become a power duo without him. When we fail a case he runs over all the details again so that he can see where he can improve for the next case. He hates seeing the criminals get away.”

Mito nodded, “I guess Ichinose isn’t as big of a slacker as I thought. You have changed since you two have become partners too.”

“You think?”

Mito pulled into the station parking lot and she opened the rear doors to escort Shinya inside. Once inside she handed him over to a pair of officers that started taking him down a hallway. Sayuri rushed passed Shinya, and a worried look on her face. Glancing over his shoulder Shinya watched as Sayuri stopped by Mito and Shigure and hurriedly told them in a hushed voice, “Guren, is still not here. I tried calling his phone, and the line was busy. He is over two hours late.”

The odd silence of the station was shattered as Mito screamed, “Ichinose, when I find your ass I’ll—!”

Mito’s phone chimed on her hip and she answered, “Sheriff Mito, what is it? What? Bring her to me.” Shutting the phone she turned to the other women, “It seems like the youngest Hiiragi daughter was on the phone with Ichinose when someone broke into his apartment and attacked him.”

Sayuri gasped, “What? Is he alright?”

“Apparently she is still on the line with Ichinose. She just turned herself over to the police, but she refuses to turn over the phone. Also, she won’t discuss anything else unless she is allowed to talk to Shinya personally. However, I don’t think that would be the best course of action.”

Shinya’s heart was hammering as he stood between the two officers in the hallway. Whipping around Shinya rushed to the small circle of woman, ignoring the shouts of the policemen, “Please.”

Mito recoiled from the white haired man, “What do you think you are doing?”

“Let me help you.”

Shigure placed her hand on the redhead’s forearm, “We have already cleared him, and we need to get Ichinose back.”

“Fine,” Mito clicked her tongue, “Come with us.”

“Where are we going,” Shinya asked following the three women down the hallway.

“To see Shinoa.”

Shigure rubbed her forehead, “Why did she take Ichinose as her hostage.”

Mito growled, “What does she hope to get from this? We know it is her.”

Shigure looked around, “There is one less person to pin her with murder, and she knows that our time is ticking. Our case is on the verge of running cold. She is probably hoping that we will turn all of our attention to saving Ichinose. Thereby ignoring the last precious moments we have for the case.”

Sayuri hugged herself, “What will she do with Guren if the case runs cold.”

“Kill him probably,” Mito admitted, “We all know the risk of trying to play god and bring about justice.”

“What are we going to do?”

Shigure opened the conference room, “We have to figure this out without him. And hopefully get him back before it is too late.”

Behind them, Shinya’s heart was hammering and he had to try with every fiber of his being not to cry. Why was Guren the one that had to pay with his life? Why did Mahiru have to do this to him? Was there anything that Shinya could do? Where was Guren? What was she doing to him? Would he be alright? Would they ever see each other again?

Shinoa stood from the chair she was sitting in, “Shinya, it’s Mahiru.”

Mito’s eyes widened, “Aren’t you on the phone with Ichinose?”

“There is a thing called the ‘mute’ button where I can basically mute everything that he hears from my side of the phone, but I can still hear everything from his side.”

Shigure held out her hand, “Would you please give us the phone?”

Shinoa looked at Shinya who nodded. She handed over her phone to Sayuri. “Shinya, if you want you can come with me into the forensic wing and we can analyze the phone,” Sayuri informed.

“What about me, “ Shinoa puffed, “it’s my phone.”

“Sorry little missy, but you have not be cleared by the forensics team yet, and as such are still a suspect,” Mito sneered.

Shinya patted Shinoa on the shoulder before following Sayuri out of the room. Together they made their way down a series of hallways until they stopped inside of a room where Mika sat clicking away on a keyboard. Sayuri weakly smiled, “Mika, can you do me a favor?”

Mika nodded, “What can I do for you?”

“Guren Ichinose has been kidnapped and is currently on the other line of this telephone. I need you to find the location that this phone is transmitting from.”

“Sure, right away. Is he alright?”

“There hasn’t been much sound. I’m thinking that he might be unconscious.”

Mika connected Shinoa’s phone to the computer then started rapidly clicking on the keys as lines of code appeared on the monitor. Five windows began to jump to life on the screen and Shinya waited in silence beside Sayuri as Mika typed faster. A knock on the door made everyone in the room, but Mika jump. Shigure waved for Sayuri to join her out in the hallway. “We have decided that the best course of action would be to break the suspects.”

“How are you planning on doing that,” Sayuri asked glancing back at Shinya.

“We are going to simultaneously interrogate Kureto and Aoi at the same time and offer them a deal to lesser their sentence if they turn over the other member involved in the murder.”

“I thought that you said that Aoi was unconditionally loyal to her husband.”

“That is what we believe, but if that is true than we can use that to our advantage. I know that Mahiru is behind this, and now all I need is someone to tell me. That or I need her name to appear on a piece of evidence, but it looks like she is too cunning for that.”

“Best of luck. I’ll try and provide you all of the assistance that I can through evidence.”

“Thank you,” Shigure smiled as she turned back up the hallway.

Sayuri entered the room just as Mika smiled, “Found him.”

“Where,” Shinya grabbed the back of the blond’s chair.

Mika turned to Sayuri, “Here, I have the address that Guren is transmitting a signal from.”

“I’ll go tell the others. Shinya, stay here. We will go get him, and bring him back safe.”

“Please, hurry,” Shinya all but begged.

Sayuri exited the room leaving Shinya and Mika. A hush fell over the room as something was coming through the phone. The sound of Guren groaning was the first sound followed by a soft giggle, “Are you awake, Mr. Paralegal.”

The sound of that voice made Shinya’s blood boil. Rustling could be heard then Guren asked, “Where the hell am I?”

“That’s on a need to know basis.”

“Mahiru, you will never get away with this.”

“But you see, I already have. Kureto and Aoi will take the fall, and I will kill you. After all of this dirty work, I will go and collect Shinya. We will be wed, and everything will end happily ever after.”

“You don’t even love him,” Guren spat.

“That’s right I don’t, but you do. Don’t you? You want to know what my favorite part of this story is? The night after I had Aoi plant the tea set in Shinya’s room, I dragged him back to the hotel and told him if he ever contacted you again I would do just this. Look at me, I lied to him. I ended up having too much fun doing this to you anyway.”

“That’s why he ended it with me,” Guren realized,”To protect me, and why his eyes were all red.”

“Yep, he cried himself to sleep; while I slept soundly,” Mahiru laughed. The sound of a mattress creak echoed through the phone, “Maybe I should see what makes you so great, Mr. Paralegal. You must be good if Shinya wanted you.”

“Don’t touch me.”

“Then perhaps a kiss to seal your fate.”

“How fitting for a spider: a kiss of death as she smiles down on the fly that she caught,” Guren jested.

Mika turned to Shinya, “Ever since I hooked it to the master computer I have been recording this conversation. Her statement is as good as a confession.”

Shinya watched the sound waves bounce on the screen as Guren softly whispered, “Shinya’s kisses are better than yours any day.”

Cheeks burning, Shinya bit down on his bottom hoping to stop it from trembling, “Idiot Guren.”

The sound of a crisp smack of hand to skin echoed through the phone and Mahiru snarled, “I will make your death slow and painful, Mr. Paralegal, mark my words.”

“If you untie me I could jot them down, maybe take a few notes, “ Guren chuckled.

“Guren, please stop,” Shinya whimpered.

Meanwhile, down the hall in an investigation room Mito sat facing Kureto. Mito asked, “Was there anyone else involved?”

“It was just me, and my wife is trying to help me take the blame, or decrease my sentence by planting evidence incriminating herself.”

“Eh,” Mito rolled the pen in front of her unconvinced, “What a nice wife. I know I wouldn’t do that for my husband. That is unless I was scared of him, or maybe unless I was scared of his sister-in-law.”

Kureto’s eyes locked onto Mito’s, “What are you trying to imply, Sheriff Mito?”

“If I told you I could decrease the sentence given to both you and your wife what would you say?”

“That you probably want something ridiculous in return.”

“Turn her over.”

“Huh?”

“Mahiru, we already have evidence that she has kidnapped one of our team. Now, you can do yourself a favor, and reduce your sentence. All you have to do is tell me the truth. She is behind this entire mass murder of the Noguchi family isn’t she?”

Kureto leaned across the table, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Mito narrowed her eyes, “Are you sure?”

“I know what I know.”

“Clearly,” Mito stood gathering her documentation, “I’ll be back. Think about my offer, Kureto, it might be your only saving grace. However, like all good things it won’t last long.”

Exiting the room Mito glanced at the other interrogation room. She sent a silent prayer that Shigure could achieve where Mito had failed.

Inside of Shigure’s interrogation room Aoi sat with her hands slightly shaking in her lap. Shigure stated, “The game is up, Aoi, we know that Mahiru is behind everything. However, right now she is the one that is running free. I’m going to let you in on how this case is going to go down. This case is on its final day so I must convict someone of murder by tonight. Currently, I have your fingerprints all over a pillow used to kill Mrs. Noguchi, and Kureto’s fingerprints in blood on the tea set that was stolen from the scene of the crime. Additionally, both of your prints were found on the murder weapons.”

“That is because we did it together. We killed those people, and their children.”

“I know that Mahiru is behind this entire thing.”

“What?”

“I just need you to help solidify my claim. If you help me I will even decrease the sentencing on you and your husband.”

“I-I can’t.”

“Let me tell you how this is going to work. If you do not speak up then I will go to court and I will ensure that you and your husband get the righteous punishment. However, since you’re with child, the district will not put you to death.”

“How did you know? I haven’t even been able to tell Kureto yet,” Aoi asked gently caressing her non-existent belly.

“They had you perform a urine test when you arrived. They tested you then. They won’t put you to death, but the same cannot be said for your husband. It is my job that criminals be punished. Now, I know that you have loyalties to—”

“I don’t-I don’t have loyalties to Mahiru. I just love Kureto.”

“Tell me the truth, Aoi, and I will ensure that your child will have both of its parents.”

Aoi locked eyes with Shigure, “It was Mahiru’s plan and she set us up to take the fall, but she said that the plan was foolproof and that we would never get caught.”

“And yet here you are.”

“I was the one that walked over to the house and knocked on the back door, and was let in by the husband. I told him that my husband’s gun had gone missing, and that he should check his gun safe since there have been other reports of similar robberies.”

“You tricked him into bringing down the gun safe, and opening it for you?”

“Yes. After, Mr. Noguchi was sure that all of his guns were safe he was about to re-lock the gun safe, but then Kureto came in. Kureto was just following Mahiru’s orders,” Aoi sobbed. “He took one of the Noguchi guns and escorted Mr. Noguchi into the basement telling him that if he remains silent that we wouldn’t kill the rest of his family that were still inside of the house.”

“That was a lie wasn’t it? Mahiru planned on killing the entire family from the beginning.”

Aoi solemnly nodded, “She planned the entire thing. Before all of this Mahiru had brunch with Mrs. Noguchi and drugged her. By the time of the murders Mrs. Noguchi was completely unresponsive.”

“How long has Mahiru been planning this,” Shigure knew it was important not to rush her questions, but the ticking of the clock was starting to echo in her ears.
Aoi was wringing her hands, “After we sold them the tea set she asked them to return it, but they refused. She wanted it back after she learned of the tea sets true value. I believe that is when she started plotting the murder. She knew that no one would turn her in if they saw her. Everyone is afraid of her because she finds people’s happiness and destroys it.”

“What do you mean?”

“She told me if I betrayed her she would kill Kureto. Please, you have to protect us from her,” Aoi pleaded hysterically.

“I will if you finish telling me what happened at the crime scene.”

“After that Mahiru came in wearing gloves, and she picked up the tea set. She told me to wait in the dinning room until she called me. I watched her head down stairs to where Kureto just vanished with Mr. Noguchi. Soon Kureto returned without Mahiru.”

“Was Mr. Noguchi dead at this time?”

“No, Mr. Noguchi was the last to die.” Aoi’s lower lip trembled, “Kureto handed me a gun and told me that I needed to help him get rid of the rest of the family.

Neither of us have ever done anything like this before, I swear.”

“It only takes one bullet to make someone a murderer, Mrs. Hiiragi.”

Aoi lowered her head, “We headed up the stairs, and the son came out and Kureto shot him. Before I knew it he was dead, and he blood was filling the hallway. Th-Then Kureto shoved me towards one of the bedrooms where we had heard a scream.”

“Kureto sent you to kill the daughter, and he went to go remove the pillowcase in the master bedroom,” Shigure inferred.

Aoi nodded tears spilling down her face, “I couldn’t kill the girl. I missed so many times. I would have been better for her if I had just killed her on the first shot like Kureto had done.”

Aoi was taken over by violent shaking as sobs racked her body. Shigure scribbled something down on her notepad before she softly added, “Please, tell me what happened.”

Pulling herself together Aoi continued, “Mahiru pulled the gun from my hand and finished the daughter off. I followed her out of the room and into the master bedroom. Before that I wanted to cover the girl, but my hand slid into the daughter’s blood. It terrified me so I bolted after Mahiru.”

“Where was Mr. Noguchi at this time?”

“I heard the shattering of a glass before Mahiru came back upstairs. Later she told me that in the struggle Mr. Noguchi knocked one of the cups out of her hands.”
“Thus he ruined the tea set.”

“Mahiru had him tied up in the basement, and had beaten him unconscious.”

Shigure wrote a few more notes before she looked up again, “It sounds like we are coming to the close of the murder. The son is dead by Kureto’s hand. The daughter is dead by Mahiru’s hand. The husband is beaten and unconscious in the basement by Mahiru. That just leaves the wife.”

“I arrived in the bedroom, and Mahiru order me to take out the wife since I failed with the daughter.”

“And you did it,” Shigure paused. Her breath caught in her chest waiting for the answer. Silence. “Aoi, did you kill Mrs. Noguchi?”

After another beat of silence Aoi nodded, “Mahiru told me to kill Mrs. Noguchi and I did. I smothered her with her husband’s pillow until she stopped breathing.” Aoi started hysterically sobbing into her hands.

“Then what happened?”

“We followed Mahiru back into the basement. The husband was awake once more, and he informed Mahiru that the real tea set was already gone. He apparently sold it on the black market since he knew the real price of it. The one in his house was a fake. In her anger Mahiru killed him. Everything, all those deaths were for nothing, because the set was a fake,” Aoi hiccupped into another fit of sobs.

Shigure’s eyes widen in temporary shock. Then she silently stood after it was obvious that she wasn’t going to get more from the blond before her. She exited the interrogation room to see Mito standing in the hallway with her arms crossed. Mito narrowed her eyes, “How did it go?”

“Aoi all but told me how cold the bodies were at the time of death. She admitted to everything. She told me where everyone was, and how the murder went down.”
“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. I can’t get anything else from her right now. We are going to have to give her a moment to regroup.”

Sayuri flagged them down, “Sorry that it took me so long to get here.”

Shigure shook her head, “I just got out of the investigation room. Did you find Ichinose?”

“Mika was able to find the location that his phone is transmitting from. We can go there together, and collect Mahiru. Also, the reason that it took me some time to get here was because my team just found the match for the prints we found in the daughter’s room.”

Shigure held out her hand, “Let me guess. Aoi Hiiragi?”

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“She just confessed to everything.”

Mito glanced at the interrogation room door, “Do you think that she is going to take the deal? Kureto didn’t seem like he was going to budge.”

Shigure handed the file back to Sayuri, “She is pregnant she wants what is best for her child. She is going to take the deal. Plus she doesn’t sound like she wanted to be a part of this from the beginning.”

Sayuri bowed her head, “We also just got the results from the unknown print found on the trigger of the gun.”

“The unknown print on the trigger and Mahiru are a perfect match, right,” Shigure guessed.

“Why am I not surprised,” Mito scoffed. Mito glanced between the folder in Sayuri’s hands and Shigure’s notebook, “Let’s go get Ichinose. We have enough evidence to bring Mahiru in for questioning. Hell we have enough to convict her ass.” The other two nodded as they turned and followed Mito down the hallway. Mito grabbed her radio calling for backup.

Chapter Text

Shinya hopelessly watched the audio waves bounce on the monitor. The sound of a pager cut through the air, and Mika pulled out his pager reading the message. Turning to Shinya, Mika asked, “Sayuri wants to know if you want to go with her to get Guren.”

“Where should I meet her?” However, before an answer could be given a knock on the glass door made them both turn. Sayuri waving for Shinya causing Shinya to leave Mika’s side as he asked, “Are we going to get Guren?”

Sayuri nodded, “Yep. You will be riding with me. I hope that’s alright. Everyone else has already started making their way towards the location. Hopefully by the time that we arrive the scene will be locked down, and Mahiru will be detained.”

They climbed into Sayuri’s company car, and started driving to the address that Mika had provided. After a long span of silence Shinya asked, “Do you think Guren will be okay?”

Sayuri was silent for a moment, “I can’t answer that question honestly, I want to tell you that everything is going to be fine, but after being the head of the forensic team for this case I can tell you Mahiru is not merciless.”

“Will this madness all be over once you detain her?”

“After we detain her, Ichinose and Shigure’s real job comes to play. They are not just a power duo on the forensic side. They have to win the case and prove that she is the killer. Only then can we say that the Hinara district will be safe from Mahiru once more.”

Sayuri fell silent as she pulled into a rickety motel parking lot filled with police cars. Shinya reached for the door handle, but Sayuri grabbed his wrist, “Please, hold on for a second.”

“Why? I thought that we were going to get Guren?”

“Let the police handle it.”

“But—”

“Shinya, if you don’t let them do their job properly then Guren could die. Remember he is the hostage in this situation. She could try to use him in order to escape.”

Blue eyes locked on the door that several police officers stood around. His nails dug into the palm of his hand as he waited. His whole body seemed to be vibrating in the chair as he waited. He hated it. Shinya’s eyes were burning from the flashing from a nearby police car. He felt completely helpless just sitting there waiting for someone else to bring Guren back to him.

Then the motel door opened, revealing Mito personally escorting Mahiru followed by two officers. Mito guided Mahiru through the sea of officers towards the back of her police car. Mahiru’s eyes locked onto Shinya’s moments before she ducked into the police car. Sayuri pulled on her ponytail, “I guess that means that the threat has been neutralized for now.” Sayuri unlocked the car doors, and Shinya took that as his cue to escape the suffocating vehicle. Smiling at his eagerness Sayuri exited the vehicle as well to stand beside him. Meanwhile, blue eyes were frantically searching the scene, but he still couldn’t see Guren anywhere.

Then finally, Guren stepped out of a motel room arm slung around Shigure’s shoulder.

“You can go to him,” Sayuri whispered from Shinya’s side.

Shinya ran forward blue eyes watering, “Guren.”

Guren turned to the sound of his name, removing his arm from around Shigure’s shoulders to embrace Shinya. Shinya’s fingers immediately carded themselves through raven locks as his body started shaking. Guren could feel hot tears on his shoulder as Shinya buried his head in the crook of Guren’s neck. Guren’s arms wrapped around Shinya, half for comfort and half for support. Breathing in the smell of Shinya, Guren just let the other man’s warmth wash over him. Shigure smiled at the scene before her, “Ichinose, we’re heading back. Sayuri will drive you two to the hospital.”

Shinya finally loosened his hold on Guren so that they could face Shigure properly. Guren grumbled, “I don’t need to go to the damn hospital. I was tied to the damn mattress and roughed up a little. “

Shigure raised an eyebrow, “You were unconscious for a span of time. There is no saying what she did to you during that time. Plus, I still think that is best that you get you injuries legally reported. Plus, a report from the hospital will make our case stronger.”

“You’re going to go to the hospital,” Shinya insisted.

Guren tightened his arm around Shinya’s waist as he growled, “Fine.”

Shigure nodded and headed back to Mito’s police car. Shinya and Guren watched silently as the police vehicles exited the parking lot. Sayuri waved to them from her car, “Over here.”

Shinya helped Guren into the back of the car, “I thought that you said that you weren’t that injured?”

Guren tried to hide his wince as he settled into a more comfortable position, “It is nothing that serious. If I just relaxed for a few days I’ll be fine, but Shigure is right. Having a legal accident report would definitely be better for the case.”

Sayuri smiled, “We have plenty of evidence against her that we collected while you were kidnapped.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we will make sure that justice is properly served,” Sayuri started driving in the opposite direction of the rest of the police cars towards the hospital. After a view minutes she noticed that the back seat had fallen silent. She glanced in the rearview mirror and a blush crossed her cheeks at the scene. Guren and Shinya sat with their hands intertwined between them, but both of them were silently sleeping. Shinya’s head rested on Guren’s shoulder, and Guren’s head rested protectively on Shinya’s white locks as they breathed in sync. Sayuri brought her attention back to the road before her, “They have been through a lot together, and we didn’t even realize.”

“Now, you heard what the doctor said,” Sayuri called from the driver’s seat, “Get some rest.”

Guren waved off Sayuri, “I’ll get some rest when I’m dead.”

Obviously not finding the humor in Guren’s words Sayuri turned to Shinya, “Please, make sure that he gets some rest.”

“I will,” Shinya smiled hoping it would please her.

Guren grabbed the other man’s hand and headed into the hotel building. Sayuri watched them vanish before driving away. At the hospital, the doctor did not find anything seriously wrong with Guren, but he was able to identify the drug used to knock Guren out. Afterward, the doctor informed Guren that he needed to simply rest until the remainder of the drug worked its way out of his system. Then, if he still felt its effects by tomorrow evening he should return to the hospital. Sayuri collected all of the paperwork from the doctor before driving Shinya and Guren to a hotel she rented for them.
With a chime Guren watched as Shinya slid the hotel key in the lock granting them access to the room. Shinya opened the door, leading the way in, and Guren followed behind him slightly delayed. Turning to close the door, Guren suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist as Shinya’s head nuzzles into his back. “What’s the matter,” Guren asks slowly.

“Just shut up, and stay like this for a moment.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I face you?”

“No!”

“Huh,” Guren attempted to turn, but Shinya held him tight in place.

“Please, stop. I’m trying to forget you once and for all.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Guren grabbed one of Shinya’s wrist and spun them around in order to lock eyes with a startled Shinya. “What are you doing?”

“It’s because of me that you got hurt.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Shinya, shut up. Stop acting like I mean nothing. My job is dangerous, and you told me yourself to be careful. I never listened and put myself in danger. Now, I know that it doesn’t just affect me, but you too.” Guren cupped Shinya’s face as his lower lip trembled, blue eyes filled to the brim with tears. The first tear spilled down pale features, and Guren wiped it away with his coarse thumb. “I know that you think that you have to fight every battle alone, but let me in. Shinya, I love you.”

A sob escaped Shinya’s mouth as he leaned his head onto Guren’s hand. Guren didn’t wait for a response as he closed the distance between them, and placed a gentle kiss upon Shinya’s lips. It was over as quickly as it started, but soon Guren’s tongue licked Shinya’s lower lip asking for enterance. With a shaky breath Shinya granted him permission to deepen the kiss; while his pale fingers clutched at Guren’s waist. Guren tilted his head slightly to better angle their faces for the deeper kiss.

Guren’s fingers ran through Shinya’s hair, and he pulled away slightly making the white haired man’s mouth open a little releasing a gasp. Guren started smothering Shinya with a quick succession of little kisses on his nose, forehead, both cheeks, both eyes, before returning to his lips once more. Shinya’s hands left Guren’s waist to pull Guren’s head into the crook of his neck. Shinya kissed Guren’s sensitive flesh before whispering over the abused skin, “Let’s go to bed, Guren.”

Without another word Guren picked Shinya up, Shinya’s legs wrapped around the raven’s waist. Guren gently rest Shinya on the bed, “You’re so beautiful.”

“Guren,” was the only thing that left Shinya’s mouth as tears streamed down his face.

“Why are you crying, Shinya,” Guren asked caging his body over his lover.

“Please, hurry.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere,” Guren promised kissing Shinya’s brow. Shinya remained silent, besides his tears, as he pulled Guren close to him.

The only light in the hotel room came from the glow of the Hinara District nightlife streaming in from the windows. Guren was laying naked in the bed one arm wrapped around Shinya protectively. Meanwhile, Shinya was laying silently awake listening to the constant rise and fall of Guren’s breathing. He was sure that Guren was asleep two hours ago, and Shinya knew that he was just stalling at this point. Silently Shinya kissed Guren’s hand until the man in question retracted the limb. Slipping out of bed Shinya started pulling on his clothing before he headed to the door.

Shinya turned and looked once more at Guren before opening the door, and left. He made his way down the hallway with tears falling down his cheeks. He waited for the elevator to arrive, and when the door opened he got in silently cursing himself that he was still crying. Another person was in the elevator too. However, Shinya paid the other man little attention as he tried to rid himself of the pathetic tears running down his face. When they reached the ground floor, Shinya exited followed by the other man. Shinya glanced at the large lobby clock and noticed that it was just after five in the morning.

Shinya exited the hotel and hailed a taxi before vanishing from Mika’s vision. Mika pulled out his phone and looked down at the eight text messages. Biting his lower lip Mika pressed the call button, “Yuu, about breakfast I’m going to have to reschedule. How about breakfast for dinner?” His cheeks turned red at the other’s response and he hissed, “Yuu-chan, that’s so embarrassing. Yeah, okay. Sorry about this. I’ll see you later.”

Mika was happy that he was alone in the lobby because Mika was sure he would die if anyone saw how red his cheek had become. He scrolled through his contact before pressing his boss’s number, “Hello, Sayuri. Yes, I managed to collect all of the evidence that you wanted me to collect from the hotel room that the Hiiragi family stayed in, but I have something else to report. I just saw Shinya Hiiragi leaving the hotel crying. What would you like me to do?”

Sayuri giggled through the line, “You don’t have to worry about it.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sure it is just a lover’s spat. We will just leave it up to Ichinose.”

Hanging up, Mika called Yuu once more, “So we still on for breakfast?”

“Hello, this is Shinya Hiiragi. I cannot get to the phone—” Guren growled hanging up on the answering machine message that he has basically memorized. When he woke, Guren was alone in the hotel room. Shinya completely vanished, and he was not answering his phone. Guren paced the hotel room unsure of where he would even begin to look for Shinya. Plucking his phone from the bed, Guren called Goshi.

Hoping that for some reason Shinya went to the bar, Guren waited for the line to be answered. Suddenly the line connected, “Guren, what’s up?”

“Is Shinya there?”

“Shinya? No, no one is here, man. Do you know what time it is?”

“Do you know where he would go?”

“What are you talking about?”

“He was with me last night, and this morning he is gone.”

“What? Better hold onto your man, Guren, the ladies are always all over him. They call him a real catch. Are you two are sleeping together?,” Goshi’s laughter boomed through the phone line.

“Goshi, focus,” Guren snarled.

Goshi chuckled, “Guess that means you aren’t good in bed.”

However, Guren did not hear him as he suddenly recalled a memory from the first time he met Shinya. Back when they were sitting at the bar, and Shiny learned that Guren was a paralegal.

Shinya took a sip from his drink, his playful eyes gleaming, “I never get caught, and I always get away.”

Standing up, Guren pulled on his jacket and he turned to the white haired man, “You might always get away, but what if one day someone makes you want to stay.”

Guren noticed Shinya freeze for a moment, his glass halfway to his mouth, as he stared at him in shock. A moment of silence passed before Shinya continued, “To answer your question I would tell that person that they should find where a tiger was buried then they should head east. Then, and only then, will they be able to truly find me.”

“Hey, Guren, you still there,” Goshi asked on the other end of the phone.

“Sorry, I have to go,” without another word Guren hung up. He quickly ran through his contacts pulling up Shinoa Hiiragi’s number, and pressing call. “Come on. Pick up.”

“Guren, what can I do you for you,” she purred through the phone.

“Where was Shinya’s toy tiger buried?”

A moment of silence echoed through the phone line before Shinoa asked, “What are you talking about?”

“I know that Mahiru always tried to remove things that made Shinya happy, and she buried his stuffed white tiger too. Do you know where it was buried? Please, Shinya has vanished. I need to find him.”

“I’ll send you the address for the park.”

“Thank you.”

“You will be looking for a large tree without any leaves. It is known as death’s tree."

Guren arrived at the park and easily found the tree amongst the other budding trees. Stopping before the tree, Guren pulled up the compass app on his phone and started walking east. “This little shit. I swear the moment I find his ass I’m going to give him a piece of my mind,” Guren grumbled against the wind. Guren’s phone chimed on his hip and he answered, “Hello?”

“Ichinose, we are able to pin the plotting and most of the murder on Mahiru,” Shigure informed, “Through Aoi’s testimony and cooperation we will be able to reduce her sentencing. Kuerto is also willing to work with us after hearing that we have captured Mahiru.”

“That’s good.”

“I set up the court date. Justice will be served. We caught them, and now the four victims can rest after the court trail. They are giving us an early date since this made national headlines.”

“Really, how soon?”

“Next week. Will we be ready by then?”

“I believe so, and forensics is a huge component and they have the solid facts. Plus, Aoi Hiiragi’s testimony will help us further our claim.”

“See you soon to discuss the court matters. Are you alright? You sound out of breath.”

Guren wiped the slight sheen of sweat from his brow as he jogged up the hillside into a grassy plain, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“If you say so. Bye,” Shigure hung up with a click.

Guren pocketed his phone looking around for a head of white as he noticed storm clouds growing darker. The only thing that could piss him off more than running around like a crazy person with zero sense of direction would be getting soaked too. Then he saw him. Shinya sat high on a hill under the shade of a tree hugging his white stuffed tiger. His face was buried in his knees.

Punching his lover on the head Guren growled, “Thanks for leaving this morning. No note. No text. No warning. Just an empty bed. You know I was kind of drugged so I wasn’t totally with it, and then you just left me. What if I needed something?”

“Do you not remember,” Shinya began in horror.

Guren sat down beside him so that the sides of their bodies were flush with each other, “No, I remember everything. As if I would forget that. I would have to be stupid.”

“Well, Guren,’ Shinya smiled playfully.

Pulling at Shinya’s ear Guren reprimanded, “I’m stupid? Who the hell made me go on a triathlon training jog this morning to find your ass?”

Shinya chuckled, “Guren, you’re a moron. You weren’t supposed to follow me.”

“Why?”

“How is this supposed to work between us? We live in different districts. You are practically sending my whole family to jail. It’s not like you can leave your job, and I can’t abandon the part of the family that isn’t going to jail. It just won’t work between us, but I—”

Guren touched Shinya’s hand silencing him. Guren slowly drew circles on his smooth skin until he worked his fingers into Shinya’s palm. Then Guren inched his fingers upward until their hands were intertwined. Shinya had watched their hands memorized as Guren whispered, “I’ll fight for you.”

“Huh?”

Guren’s face had suddenly turned beat red, “I’ll fight to stay with you. To keep you, Shinya. I told you last night, but maybe you weren’t paying attention because you were planning on how to escape—.”

Shinya’s chuckled cut him off, “I heard you, and it just made it harder to leave.” Showing Guren one of his genuine smiles Shinya whispered, “Me too. I love you, Guren.”

Blush ran from Guren’s neck to the tops of Guren’s ears as Shinya kissed the raven quickly before triumphantly leaning against his shoulder. Guren sat silently trying to comprehend what just happened, completely stunned.

“Has the Jury reached a decision,” the Judge asked.

Shigure and Guren stood behind their table waiting to hear the verdict of the courts. Beside them at different tables stood Aoi, Kureto, and Mahiru Hiiragi and their respective lawyers. The courtroom seemed to be holding its breath waiting to hear the verdict of the trail. In attendance the local area of the Hinara District where the murder took place. Additionally, many news reporters were in attendance in order to release the headlines as soon as possible. Shinya sat in the crowd hands in his lap silently praying for Guren’s success.

The head Juror held a piece of paper with the verdict on it and announced, “The Jury finds Mahiru Hiiragi—” The entire room held its breath waiting for the sentencing, “—Guilty of two accounts of first-degree manslaughter for the murders of Mr. Noguchi and his daughter.” Everyone seemed to exhale the breath that they were holding, but Shinya noticed that Guren was still stiff.

“Additionally, the Jury finds Kureto Hiiragi guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the murder of the Noguchi son. And finally, the Jury finds Aoi Hiiragi guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the murder of Mrs. Noguchi.”

The Judge turned his attention to Guren and Shigure, “Do you have any comments?”

Shigure bowed, “No, your honor.”

The Judge glanced over at the convicted Hiiragi’s, “I hope that your time in jail gives you time to reflect on the lives that you have taken, the hearts that you have shattered with your greed, and the bonds of love and friendship that you have severed with your own bloody hands. Let this be a message to any of those thinking of doing wrong in our district or any other out there. You will be found, and you will be brought to justice. Thank you.”

The Judge departed from her chair and headed into the backroom before the guilty were taken away. Once they were in the back they were locked into individual cells and Mito smiled, “With those sentences Mahiru you are bound to be my inmate for life. Kureto and Aoi will be in here about fifteen year or until your father coughs up the bail.”

Aoi whimpered as she slid down the bars of her cell crying. Mito walked away and Mahiru suddenly rushed to the bars of her cell, “You, bitch, you sold me out didn’t you. You are so weak.”

Aoi wiped her tears away, “Mahiru, they had all of the evidence anyway. I might as well tell them the story that way our sentences could be shorter.”
“So you will just let me rot away; while you live a happy life?”

Kureto narrowed his eyes at his sister, “We are about to have a child. Aoi, was just thinking about the baby’s future.”

“Bullshit,” Mahiru cursed.

Mito returned with several officers, “Times up. We are bringing you to your individual cells.” Mito decides that she will allow the other officers lock away Aoi and Kureto, but she want to be the one that locked ahiru behind bars. After securing the lock of Mahiru’s cell the purple haired girl started chuckling, “I hope you’re happy.”

“Excuse me,” Mito frowned.

“I hope you’re happy with the decision that the courts made today. That lawyer duo could have fought it once more for good measure and place Kureto and Aoi behind bars just like me for their crimes. However, you already know that.”

Mito watched as Mahiru sat on the futon in the corner of the cell, “What are you talking about?”

Mahiru smiled as she turned her fingers into a gun shape and pointed it at Mito, “This mass murder might have come out of my head, but my hands aren’t the only ones with blood on them.” Then Mahiru pulled back on her finger gun as her smile twitched causing all of the blood to drain from Mito’s face.

Suddenly Mito’s pager rang. Cursing before answering it, Mito growled, “You have to be kidding me.”

Mito met the rest of the task force at the entrance of the station as she watched Tenri Hiiragi handing over a blank check, “Just fill it out. I want my son and daughter-in-law back now.”

Shigure fisted her hands, “We just got them behind bars too.”

“At least Mahiru cannot be freed by bail,” Sayuri reminded.

Guren nodded, “True, and she seemed like the real mastermind behind this all. Kureto was the muscle and Aoi just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Mito remained silent as Mahiru’s smile flashed in her mind. As Guren spoke a police officer escorted Kureto down the hallway and he stopped before the task force and bowed, “I humbly apologize for our meeting this way, but now i wish to focus on my family. Sorry,” he turned back to his father and waited for his wife.

Aoi came down the hallway tears flowing freely down her face as her body was shaking. She walked into her husband’s open arms and sobbed until they exited the building. Shigure tossed her hair over her shoulder, “I hope they they will no longer be a problem.”

“Me too,” Mito grumbled. “Also, Ichinose, listen I know that we started off on bad footing, but I just wanted to say you’re a good partner.”

Guren’s eyes widened, “Thank you.”

“I have been talking to Shigure about this, and she said it is alright if you want. There is an opening with our forensic team for a paralegal, and I was wondering if you wanted to take over the role. You worked well with everyone, and if you work through our building you will be going on sight more. What do you say?”

Guren turned to look at Shigure and she simply smiled at him, “Whatever you choose make sure it is the right choice for you.”

Mito’s phone rang and she swore loudly before answering, “Yes? What?”

Sayuri frowned, “What’s wrong?”

“Mahiru wants to talk with Shinya.”

“No,” Guren barked.

Shigure thought for a moment before suggesting, “We should ask Shinya, and see what he would like to do. Perhaps they have something they want to say to each other.”

“Fine, but if he goes then I am going with him.”

Guren and Shinya walked into the reception hall and sat down on the cold bench. They sat facing the glass window that divided them and Mahiru. Mahiru smiled wickedly at them, “Thank you for coming to see me, Shinya, but I don’t recall asking to see you too, Mr. Paralegal.”

Guren glared at her, “This is the only way that I would ever allow you to see Shinya again.”

Mahiru smiled, “Of course. Just don’t forget that you are only getting my sloppy seconds, if that.”

Shinya held up a hand to stop them from fighting further, “So what is that you wanted to talk to me about?”

“I just wanted to remind you that no matter where you go, or who you hook up with: You will forever belong to me.”

Guren opened his mouth to retaliate, but Shinya stopped him by laughing causing everyone to look at him. Shinya smiled a genuine smile that warmed Guren’s heart and caused Mahiru’s blood to boil. “No, from today onward I’m going to live not just to survive your murderous conquest, but for my own happiness. That is why the only reason I came here today is to return this to you,” Shinya pulled off the engagement ring from his finger and set it down on the counter between them. “I hope that you one day find someone that can warm up that cold heart of yours. Thankfully, that person is not me.”

Shinya turned and grabbed Guren’s hand, “I’ve finally found my happiness, and this time you can’t take this from me.” Together they left Mahiru sitting open-mouthed staring at Shinya’s lone engagement ring.

Silence filled the Hiiragi house after Aoi slipped back into bed beside her husband. Kureto suddenly threw back his head as he laughed, and Aoi turned to look at him. “That was great.”

Aoi rubbed her husband’s chest, “The police system praises itself for its great judgement of character, but if a girl sheds a few tears they do whatever she wants.”

“You had me going for a second, Aoi.”

“Well, now that Mahiru is out of the picture what would you like to do.”

“Nothing. We can just enjoy the show. Mahiru will now rot in jail. It’s perfect. The perfect ending.”

“Serves her right for trying to drag us down with her.”

Kureto pulled his wife closer,“Also I was able to pawn off some of the stuff that we stole from the Noguchi house. I still have a few things left to sell. Even if the tea set wasn’t real there was some other stuff worth stealing and selling.”

The two smiled to themselves as they extinguished the light in their room. Meanwhile out in the hallway Seishirō walked down the hall into his sister’s room.

“What are you doing? Get out,” she pouted.

“Just shut up for a second. Let me tell you what I just heard.” After Seishirō explain the conversation he overheard Shinoa sat on her bed eyes wide. Picking up Shinoa’s phone off the bed Seishirō handed it to her, “So, would you mind making a quick call for me?”

She smiled taking the phone from his hand, “Hello, 911. I would like to report a robbery connected to the Noguchi family mass murder case. Yes, I can hold for Deputy Mito.”

Seishirō leaned against the door frame, “It’s perfect. The perfect ending.”

Chapter Text

Sun was falling on Guren’s face as something furry sat on his face. Blinking he found himself face to face with Byakkomaru’s stomach. Guren threw the toy away from him revealing the most beautiful sight he is sure that he has ever seen. Shinya was laying on his side only wearing a pair of blue boxers. His white hair catching the sunlight so that it seemed to glitter, and his limbs were tangled with Guren’s body. A small hum escaped Shinya as he snuggled closer to Guren’s body. The smallest of smiles resting on Shinya’s pink lips.

Guren leaned closer kissing his lover’s forehead causing Shinya’s features to scrunch up. Guren pouted, “What’s your problem?”

Shinya opened his large blue eyes as one of his hands ran up Guren’s torso to his face, “Who said that you could kick Byakkomaru out of bed?”

“He was in the way.”

Shinya crawled on top of Guren, “Then get out of his way, Gu~ren.” Shinya started littering Guren’s face with kisses as Guren’s hands grabbed Shinya’s hips.

A year has passed since Guren took the job offering from Mito to become the paralegal for the Hinara district. He still works closely with the original people of the task force when it comes to solving cases. It also turns out that Shigure’s legal firm used their success with the Hinara mass murder case to branch out, and now Guren is back to working under Shigure.

Now Shinya has his own tea house. Loyal patrons from the Hiiragi Tea House left and followed Shinya to his own Tea House when he first opened.
Guren slapped Shinya’s butt playfully, “Get off.”

“Why?”

“I’m hungry, and I want breakfast.”

Shinya rolled over, “Good, Guren, make me breakfast in bed.”

Guren got up and grumbled as he headed towards the kitchen. After some time passed Shinya huffed, “Guren, are you coming back or do I have to get myself breakfast?”

The door swung open, “Shut up. I’m here.”

Guren set down the tray before Shinya then sat on the other side of the tray. Shinya frowned, “How am I supposed to eat all of this?” The plate was stacked with four pancakes, four sunny-side-up eggs, ten pieces of toast, and a mini mountain of bacon.

Guren grabbed a piece of toast, “It’s not all for you.”

Shinya defensively covered the food, “No, stop it’s mine.”

“I just didn’t want to carry two trays. I economized,” Guren protested.

Shinya pouted for a second before lowering his arms. Together they slowly picked at the mountain of food that Guren brought into the room. Shinya frowned at Guren, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Nothing. Something just seems to be bothering you.”

“Shut up, and eat before I eat it all.”

Shinya started stuffing his mouth with toast. Soon almost all of the food was gone. Guren patted his stomach as he watched Shinya continue to eat his egg then move on to finish off Guren’s egg. Guren was sure that even if he was in the kitchen all morning he could never keep Shinya fed.

“Um, Shinya.”

Shinya looked up from the last four pieces of toast that he was saving, “Yeah?”

“I have something to ask you.”

“Shoot.”

“Put the stupid toast down.”

“Hey, those are fightin’ words,” Shinya reprimanded shaking a piece of toast at Guren.

“Please, be serious. Just for a second.”

“Guren, what’s wrong,” Shinya asked putting down the piece of toast.

Moving the tray out from between them and onto the bed side table Guren pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket, “Listen, Shinya, we have been together for a while now. We have been through alot, and I’ve been thinking that since we are already living together—”

“YES,” Shinya screamed throwing his arms around Guren happily.

“Wait that’s not fair. I didn’t even ask you yet. I had this whole thing planned out.”

Shinya laughed tears coming to his eyes, “Idiot Guren, you should have known that nothing you plan ever works out that way. But my answer is yes so let me see the ring! Give it to me!” Shinya crawled onto Guren’s lap wanting to be closer to his lover.

Sighing Guren pulling the ring out of the box revealing two matching silver bands, and that shut Shinya up. Shinya’s hands shook as it covered his mouth, “They match!”

Picking up Shinya’s ring Guren slipped it onto Shinya’s finger before plucking his own from the box, but Shinya squeaked, “I want to put it on you.”

Guren smiled and handed the box to Shinya. Shinya slid it onto Guren’s finger and kissed the ring happily, “I love you, Guren.”

Guren pulled Shinya into a deep kiss before pushing him back into mattress.