Silence In Numbers: File One, page 18
Katsumi smiled. “Sounds good. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then.”
“Great! I’ll text you directions to the place to meet me tomorrow. Sleep well!”
“Thanks. Tell your daughter hi for me.” Katsumi ended the call and programmed an alarm for ten the next morning before setting the phone back on her nightstand.
Ayane closed her eye again. “I’m glad you’re thinking about your limitations now.”
“Some things are more important than pushing myself.” Katsumi yawned again.
“Good. Nice emotional breakthrough. Now go back to sleep, you’re keeping me awake,” Ayane huffed.
Katsumi smiled, closing her eyes. “So sorry.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ayane woke up in the middle of the night, blinking and stretching. It was probably around two in the morning; she always woke up around two in the morning. She smiled as she realized she was still curled against her sister, snuggling closer and tightening her arms around her. She couldn’t deny that she’d missed this.
Ayane was a strong-willed woman, but the loneliness of living in a hospital bed was difficult even for her. Even though Katsumi visited her twice every week and she had friends that visited on other days, it was still hard. She’d long ago grown tired of waking up alone, spending the day alone, and going to sleep alone. The nights were the worst; she’d wake up around two and have no one around, and the feelings of loneliness would be amplified as many fears were by the night. More than just a general loneliness, the amount to which she missed Katsumi – and felt her absence – was sometimes enough to even make her cry, although whenever it got that bad she always contacted her sister and talked to her for a few hours.
She felt much better as she laid her head on her sister’s shoulder, looking up at her serene face. Katsumi was the only one who’d been there for her from birth until now, and she was the only one who’d been there for Katsumi. The two sisters had really had only each other for the longest time. Even now, when they had others in their lives that cared, there was still no one as important or as close. There would never be. It was simply impossible, really; no one else could ever truly understand what they’d been through. No one else had been through it. But she and Katsumi, they’d both been through the same things, and each of them had only survived because of the other. And of all the days they had lived, the only time a single day had ever passed without them talking to each other for at least an hour had been when one of them was unconscious.
Ayane sighed. Because Katsumi was the older and stronger-willed one, she’d always tried to take care of Ayane even though she was only three years older. Fortunately Ayane herself wasn’t useless. She was strong, fast, skilled, smart – just like her sister. But Katsumi was something she wasn’t, and that was a leader. She had a strong desire to protect and take care of others, especially Ayane. Her sister was stubborn that way. It was part of the reason she always acted hard and invincible, a rock that could support anyone.
But Ayane knew differently. Katsumi wasn’t invincible – she could be hurt just like others, physically and emotionally. Ayane had seen her sister in the absolute worst conditions imaginable. She’d seen her break in ways her friends would never know were even possible. It had been so bad at some points that Ayane remembered being told by her sister that she was the only reason Katsumi wasn’t giving up life entirely. She’d been there for those times and all the others, and she knew she was a guiding strength behind her sister.
That was why she knew no one would ever replace either one of them for the other. For Katsumi specifically, she was past the point of letting anyone in completely. Ayane knew her sister would never again fully open up to someone; parts of her were forever closed off. But Ayane had been let in long before that ever happened; she knew every part of her sister’s mind and personality. It was impossible for anyone else to reach such a state. It made her sad for her sister, but Ayane couldn’t help feeling happy to be so important and needed by the person she cared for most.
It was something entirely special knowing you would forever be the closest person to someone, the only one who could be totally close to them. Ayane took this position very seriously and did her best to support Katsumi like only she could, and she knew how appreciated it was since Katsumi told her fairly often. And it was times like this when she realized how necessary it was.
Ayane yawned, looking at her sleeping sister through half-lidded eyes and smiling softly. Sometimes Katsumi seemed like the younger one, the one who needed looking after. Katsumi often said they were “equal in age” and it made sense at times like these. She was looking forward to living with Katsumi again for more than herself; she also knew how much it would help her sister.
Of course, the fact that I won’t be spending entire days and nights without her anymore is pretty nice, too, she thought with a smile as she closed her eyes and hugged her sister more tightly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Date: April 4, 2068
Time: 1:07 PM
Location: East Wind Restaurant, Chiba, Japan
Katsumi yawned as she stepped out of her car, tucking her hands in her jacket pockets as she headed towards the restaurant. She was wearing casual clothes this time, something that helped her a little in changing her mindset for the day from “Captain Samakura” to “Katsumi”. She entered the place and gave them the name Hillford, smiling as she saw Lenora wave at her. “I’m glad you chose somewhere casual,” Katsumi said as she sat in the booth across from the woman. “I wasn’t feeling like getting dressed up today.”
Lenora smiled at her. “I didn’t think you would be. This isn’t anything formal though, just lunch.”
“Yeah, it always starts with lunch. Next time it’ll be dinner, and then back to your place.”
“Don’t be ridiculous – I won’t ask you back until the third date. I’m a classy woman.”
Katsumi chuckled. “Good, I’m no slut. Despite whatever Reno might suggest.”
Lenora laughed. “You think he’s brave enough to say that about you?”
“Behind my back, maybe, so long as he doesn’t think I’ll find out. You’d be surprised what I’ve heard him say.”
Lenora raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Anything he should be sleeping on the couch for?”
“Probably.” Katsumi smirked. “I’ll let you know. It could make a good punishment, although I usually like dealing out my own.”
“So I’ve heard. He’s shown me a few bruises he got that way. Half the time he says it’s worth it.”
“He would. I’m glad he’s stubborn enough to keep going, though. Reno’s one of the major factors in keeping the team together.”
Lenora smiled softly. “He does have a talent for lightening moods.”
“That he does.” Katsumi looked out the window. “Speaking of… Reno… You’re the last person I owe an apology to.”
Lenora tilted her head. “Me?”
Katsumi nodded, looking at her. “I talked with Sano when he found me. I talked with Reno on the ride back. Sam yelled at me after I got fixed up. Rufus…” Katsumi gave a sad smile. “Rufus doesn’t need, or want, an apology, because I only did what he and I both used to do long before we met each other. He has no problems with my actions, though I still spoke with him. Even though I knew exactly how it would go.” Katsumi set her hands in her lap. “You, however…”
“I’m not part of your team.”
“You don’t go on missions with us, no.” Katsumi looked down. “Still, I feel I let you down just as much. I abandoned my team, Reno included, even though I promised you I’d look after him. Of course I don’t need to watch him all the time, he’s just as capable as the rest of us, but I endangered my entire team with my actions and I think you deserve an apology for that.” Katsumi looked away and her voice dropped. “I truly am sorry… Not only for that… I know you care about me and consider me your friend. You… have no idea what that means to me. So you deserve an apology as much as anyone else on the team does, and I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Lenora smiled gently at her. “I think you already know how I feel. I’m honored you appreciate my friendship like you do. I was relieved to learn you were okay, and I was worried about you. However, I will always worry about you. Just like I’ll worry about Reno, just like I’ll worry about Sano, and Sam, and yes, even Rufus. I know how dangerous your daily lives are. I will always worry about it. The only way you’re different is that I’m closer to you than the others, or at least I think I could be.”
Katsumi smiled. “You could. You have a… unique personality,” she chuckled, receiving a grin from Lenora. “It’s hard to describe. You’re pushy, which I usually hate… and I do hate it when you push, don’t get me wrong… but I still end up talking. You win, that’s the problem. You’re very hard to resist.”
Lenora laughed. “I can back off if you like, hard as it would be.”
Katsumi shook her head. “So long as I can trust you, you can push. You’ll learn, with time, what you can and can’t press me on.”
Lenora nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to be your psychiatrist. I want you to be my friend, too.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Katsumi said with a smile. “Believe it or not I can be a pretty good friend. Sano would probably vouch for me.”
“You and he are pretty close, aren’t you?”
Katsumi nodded. “I guess you could say he’s one of my better friends.”
“Why is that?” Lenora tilted her head curiously.
Katsumi shrugged. “I guess his personality just works with mine. It always seems like he has a respect for me that I can’t lose because he accepts the things I do. Even though I haven’t known him as long as I have Law, he and I fit in a different way. We don’t agree on everything like Rufus and I do, and sometimes we argue or fight, but even then there’s an acceptance beyond that which isn’t jeopardized by disagreement. He’s one of the easiest people to be around I’ve ever known.”
Lenora smiled. “That explains why you can relax around him.”
“I suppose it does. You know, sometimes it seems like he’s at my place more than his own.” Lenora raised an eyebrow and Katsumi shook her head. “Not like that.”
“I see. I had suspicions though.”
Katsumi looked away. “No, we’re just friends…”
Lenora nodded, watching her quietly for a few moments. “You wish it were like that?”
Katsumi smiled a little. “No. It can’t be. Maybe someday I’ll say why, but for now let’s just leave it at that.”
“Fair enough.” Lenora sat back and offered a smile. “Well! I hope someday you’ll relax like that around me, too.”
Katsumi returned the smile. “So do I.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“I’m home,” Lenora yelled into the house as she entered.
“Mommy!” Lianne ran to into the hall and hugged her leg, eliciting a large smile from Lenora who picked her up.
“Hi angel! Did you and daddy have fun today?”
“Uh-huh! We went to a movie!”
“Oh, did you?” Lenora grinned as Reno entered the hall. “Was it good?”
Reno removed his glasses and beat his head against the wall as an answer to the question, while Lianne nodded. “It was great!”
Lenora chuckled. “I’m glad.” She put her daughter down. “Why don’t you give me and daddy a minute to talk, then you can tell me all about it?”
“Okay!”
Lenora smiled as she ran off. Reno stepped up and kissed her. “If she wants to see that movie again, you’re going.”
Lenora laughed. “Don’t even start. Would you like to compare the number of movies we’ve each taken her to?”
Reno huffed. ”So not fair. Fine, since you’re cheating, let’s change the subject. How was lunch?”
Lenora smiled widely. “It was great. We talked a lot and plan to do it more. She’s willing to be open.”
“Oh, so you won’t go crazy?” he grinned.
“No, I won’t go crazy.” Lenora gave a wry smile. “I’m surprised you’re teasing me considering I’m talking about a close friendship with your boss that includes sharing all sorts of things.”
“Well, I…” Reno blinked. “I, uh… Okay, you’re bluffing, right?” Lenora just smiled over her shoulder as she walked away. “Honey? You’re bluffing, right? Say you’re bluffing! Get back here!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“So this mystery man just contacted you out of nowhere and gave you information about Kintashi.”
“Yep. Not suspicious at all, right?” Sano grinned.
It was early evening and Katsumi was already getting a bit tired again. Truth be told she was looking forward to getting back to Ayane and didn’t really want to deal with anything, but Sano had said that this was important and now that he’d told her everything about this “John Briggs”, she agreed completely. “And he wants to meet me in return for the information?”
“Yeah. I told him you probably wouldn’t, but he said you’d want to. Said he had ‘some information about your condition’, whatever that means.” Katsumi suddenly jerked in surprise and Sano blinked. “Wait, is there a condition?”
“No,” she answered evenly. “It just confuses me. The wording surprised me is all, like he assumes there’s something wrong with me. I suppose I’ll meet this man.”
“Right… Well, he knows you’re back and said to meet him tonight, so we can go now if you’re sure.”
“I’m too curious not to go,” Katsumi answered, heading for the car.
They arrived right on time and Sano led her into the basement level. She watched him open the secret side tunnel. “This Briggs is a little paranoid, isn’t he?”
“Tell me about it. Fake name, secret location for meetings, he even gives information on pieces of paper he leaves in a concealed cubby before you get there. Never see him on this side of the glass, either.” They entered the room and Sano looked through the glass into the dark room beyond. “Mr. Briggs? I’m hoping you’re in there, ‘cause this is your big chance to meet Captain Sama.”
The light on the other side flicked on, revealing Briggs. The man seemed a little odd for a second before he smiled and spoke in a soft voice. “Katsumi…”
Katsumi’s eyes widened and she took a step back, bringing a curious look from Sano. For a few seconds all she did was stare, no words leaving her lips. Then, in an instant, her face contorted in a rage Sano had never seen before and she drew her gun, firing several shots at the man. Sano jumped back with a yell. “What the hell, Katsumi?!” His eyes shot from her to the man behind the glass and he immediately drew his own pistol, aiming at the man on the other side as his eyes narrowed. He had no clue who it was, but obviously Katsumi recognized him – and wanted him dead.
The thick glass stopped the bullets and the man sighed, taking a sad look at Katsumi before shaking his head and walking through a door behind him.
Sano lowered his gun and watched as she ran at the glass and slammed her fist into it repeatedly until it finally shattered, at which point she jumped through before the glass had even fallen and ran through the door after Briggs. Sano jumped through after her, chasing her through the tunnel to help her catch whoever the man was. “What the hell is going on?!”
The tunnel came to some stairs that went up and up and up. Katsumi took them at a dead sprint, leaving Sano behind. He pushed himself to keep him, arms and legs pumping, leaping up them when he could. At the top Katsumi bust out of a door and onto the roof and Sano came out seconds behind to see a helicopter flying away. Katsumi stood on the edge of the roof firing and yelling at it. “GET BACK HERE YOU FUCKING COWARD! GET BACK HERE!” Her pistol ran out of shots and still she focused angrily at the chopper that was too far away now, roaring in rage. “COME BACK AND FACE ME, FATHER!”
Chapter 10: Habitus
Date: April 4, 2068
Time: 10:12 PM
Location: Takagawa Building Roof
Kurasano stood in shocked silence, something he felt he’d been doing far too often lately. “F… Father?” Katsumi just glared at the distant speck that was the helicopter, knowing it was impossible to catch. “John Briggs is your… father?”
“Not John Briggs,” Katsumi corrected. “Joseph Elwood.”
The venom she poured into the name sent a chill down Sano’s spine. “I thought your father was…”
“Whatever you thought obviously doesn’t matter, because all you know about him now is that he’s here,” Katsumi spat out. She whirled around and headed for the door back down. “I need… I need to get out of here.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, Sano, you won’t.”
“Katsumi, it’s obvious you shouldn’t-“
“SANO!” She spun on him. “Now is NOT the time to fucking push me! Leave me the fuck alone! Go back to your home, go to headquarters, I don’t care where the fuck you go as long as it’s not near me!”
“Look,” Sano shook his head, “I’m your friend.” He narrowed his eyes as his own anger came forward. “Stop fucking pushing me away! I’m not going away, I’m following you and your arguments aren’t going to stop me.”
Katsumi’s fingers curled and tightened into fists as she glared at him. “You don’t know me at all, do you? Sano, I’m telling you one more time, leave me alone or I’m putting you down and leaving anyway.”
Sano cracked his neck, his eyes never leaving hers as he started walking towards her. “You’re gonna have to try to put me down, then.” He stopped right in front of her, staring into her eyes and wondering if she’d actually do it. For a minute she looked conflicted; her hands started to loosen.
But Sano had forgotten to take into account what had just transpired. Katsumi’s unexplained rage at her father’s appearance was still boiling over and pushing right now was, as she had said, not the right move. She slammed her fist into his stomach and he stumbled back a few steps, grimacing as he straightened back up. “It’d take more than that.”
