Silence In Numbers: File One, page 20
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Date: April 5, 2068
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Angel Wings Bar
The conversation was about the obvious topic as Reno, Lenora, Kurasano, Rufus and Samuel sat at the table, waiting on Katsumi and her sister. It’d been revealed that Law knew her but he wasn’t answering any questions, leaving the others to speculate. They sat and guessed about the person they were going to meet and why they didn’t even know she existed before now, though Law did caution them that questions along that line should be avoided.
Eventually they entered; Katsumi wearing a casual black shirt, pants and jacket, while Ayane was more colorful in a blue tank top and skirt that matched her hair. Their clothing was only the first difference as the group soon learned. Ayane waved cheerily, meeting Law as he stood up and hugging him. “Hi Big L! It’s nice to see you actually out with people.”
“I could say the same for your sister,” Law chuckled, catching Katsumi’s smirk. “Besides, I’m always up for seein’ you blue-hair.”
“That’s because I’m special.” Ayane turned to the rest of the group, holding up a hand. “Shhh! Lemme guess!” Katsumi’s smirk widened as she folded her arms and watched. Ayane pointed at Lenora, smiling. “Lenora obviously. You’re easy because you’re the only woman.”
Lenora smiled. “Because Katsumi is tough and macho?” Reno snorted and Katsumi just rolled her eyes.
“Yes! And that must mean you are Reno.”
“Glasses give it away?”
“That and the fact that you laughed at my sister’s expense,” Ayane grinned and received one in return. She pointed at Rufus next. “You’re obvious. Sunglasses, white suit, appropriate posture and fancier drink? You’re very distinct, Mr. Ivanov.”
Rufus smiled, taking a sip of his drink. “Being bland was never my thing. It’s a pleasure, Ms. Samakura.”
“For me as well. And… Sano.” Ayane smiled at him. “I think we know each other a little already, even though we’ve never met.”
Sano returned the smile. “I’ve heard a bit, yeah. It’s great to actually meet you, though.”
Ayane looked around. “Aww, M didn’t come? I guess he didn’t have to, but I’m gonna have a talk with him later!”
“You know M?”
“Of course!” Ayane smiled. “He’s the one that set up the whole thing, including paying for my… expenses.”
“If we’re done with the introductions,” Katsumi interrupted, “then I think we should get started with the drinks. Lord knows the more she talks the more I’m going to need.”
Ayane grinned. “Better believe it.”
As the minutes went by things seemed to get easier and more fun. Ayane was talking with the others and laughing as, while Katsumi was gone to get a drink at the bar, she was being told a story of Katsumi’s tough personality. “I don’t get any of that, myself.”
Reno snorted. “Everyone gets some of that.”
“She’s different with me.”
“Uh-huh.”
“No, really. I’m an exception to everything.” Ayane smiled. “Katsumi’s been wrapped around my finger since we were little, and those were her words first, I’ve just started using them because it’s funny.”
Sano raised an eyebrow. “That’s a little hard to believe.”
“Oh, yeah?” Ayane looked over her shoulder, seeing Katsumi on her way back. She looked back to the others. “You want proof?” As Katsumi returned to the table Ayane looked at her. “Sumi, I’m thirsty.”
“Oh, I’ll be right back then. One second.”
Ayane beamed as the others simply blinked. Once Katsumi started returning, Ayane pouted. “I wanted a yellow drink…”
“Oh!” Katsumi laughed and rubbed her head. “My mistake – be right back guys!”
Reno watched her walking back towards the bar, shaking his head. “This is glorious.”
Ayane smiled at him. “Your problem is you’ve only seen one or two sides of my sister. She’s a lot more than that.”
“I’m just amazed someone is an exception to her usual attitude.”
“Hey, it’s not just me. I just bring out other parts of her personality. Katsumi is a lot more than anyone thinks.” Ayane stopped with a gasp, her eyes widening as a new song started playing in the bar. She spun around to see Katsumi with her own eyes widened, almost back to the table. “Sumi!”
Katsumi began shaking her head. “Now, Aya, I don’t…”
Ayane jumped up and grabbed the drink from Katsumi’s hand, setting it on the table. “Sumi, it’s ‘Golden Sky’! Come on, we have to!”
Katsumi sighed, looking up at the ceiling before a smile broke out. “Okay, let’s do it.”
Ayane grinned, grabbing her hand and pulling her to an open spot on the floor. What followed, as the high-energy dance song kicked in, left four people at the table staring in both shock and amazement. The sisters began side by side, laughing as they mirrored each other’s movements with kicks and sidesteps before they spun into new positions, clapping and moving to the song.
Law grinned over his drink, looking between the choreographed dance and the people at the table. “You know they won a competition with that when they were kids.”
Reno looked from Katsumi twirling Ayane to Law’s grin, shaking his head in bewilderment. “I have a hard time believing Katsumi was a kid!”
Ayane was saying something as they danced and Katsumi’s grin was one the others had never seen, a look of someone who, at the moment, was living with nothing but good memories.
Lenora smiled as she watched. “Katsumi looks happy, doesn’t she? I’d hoped she’d be able to be that happy one day, I didn’t think she had it now.”
Law set his drink down, his mood more somber now. “It probably isn’t my place to talk about this, but I care about both of them. Ayane lives in the hospital.” The others turned to look at him, paying attention to his words as they took glances back at the other two. “No one knows what she has and they can’t fix it, so they,” he pointed at the two sisters, “just have to hope.”
Lenora saddened. “That’s terrible…” Reno shook his head and Sano just looked angry at the things he couldn’t fix.
“I’ve been hopin’, too,” Law continued. “You’ve seen just a little tonight, but lemme tell you this: if Ayane doesn’t make it, neither will Katsumi. Everything she does revolves around that girl, and all her plans include her. She doesn’t bother plannin’ for the darker possibility.”
“I guess there’s nothing we can do?” Rufus questioned.
Law shook his head. “Not really.”
“We can be there,” Sano shrugged. “If either of them needs help we can do it. Especially considering this new stuff with their father that we’re gonna be told about.”
The rest nodded and Rufus looked over at Katsumi and Ayane. “We should act like nothing’s wrong, too. I’m sure they both know very well just how much is wrong, they don’t need us reminding them.”
“Yeah,” Reno agreed, “and we all know how much Katsumi hates things like pitying looks or condolences anyway. I think we’re smart enough by now to avoid things like that.”
Lenora smiled. “So we just support them by being friends.”
“A team,” Sano added. “We’re a team in everything, and now Ayane’s part of that team as well.”
They looked over as the song finished and Ayane jumped on Katsumi’s back, bringing laughter from the older woman. The sisters weren’t thinking about it at that moment, but they had five people who were determined to make sure they stayed that happy.
They came back over and Ayane sat down beside Sano, smiling at him as her sister took a seat beside Lenora. “So, Sano. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Sano set his drink down and raised an eyebrow. “Not all bad, I hope.”
“Nope, not all. I hear you’re my sister’s best friend, though, so I feel I should warn you about a few things.”
“Things I don’t already know?”
“Oh, it’ll be different now. Number one? I know I say it a lot, but don’t call her Sumi. Only I can do that.”
“Right, I won’t use your name for her.”
“That’s good. Neither of us will like it if you do. Next thing? Now that you know about me, prepare to hear about me a lot.”
Sano blinked. “Hear about you a lot?”
Ayane nodded. “Our favorite subjects are each other. You can ask Law how much he’s had his ear talked off about me. Oh, and if you become my friend too, you’ll hear a lot about Katsumi. Really a lot. Like, really a whole lot.”
“Huh…” Sano smiled. “I can deal with that. Can’t hurt to learn more about you two.”
“It could.” Ayane grinned. “Okay, third thing? I’ve heard about your mannerisms. When I’m living with Sumi, we’re going to move, but whether we have or not at the time, no barging in without asking!”
Sano laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Not a problem. You know I nearly got killed last time I did that anyway, so I don’t think I will again.”
Ayane nodded. “Smart man. Keep your head in one piece. Why’d you nearly get killed that time? Was she showering or something?”
“No, she looked like she’d just been sick, and you know how she is when she’s like that.”
“Oh…” Ayane’s smile faltered for a moment but she replaced it almost instantly. “Yes, I think I remember that. All the spring storms can really wreak havoc with immune systems.”
Sano looked at her. “Speaking of… You talk about living with her. Are you leaving the hospital?”
Ayane sighed. “I don’t know yet. I’m feeling a little better recently, but that doesn’t really mean anything, and besides Sumi is a bit… protective.”
“I know.” Sano thought back to the few details he’d been told about their past. “And I can see why.”
“Oh, so can I. And I really appreciate her protectiveness; besides, it goes both ways.”
“What about you, how do you feel? I know you said you like to talk about your sister a lot, but I’ve known her for six years and have only just met you.”
“Me? Well I’m a lot less tough than Sumi. Attitude-wise, I mean. I don’t act as tough. I’m generally nicer and much more open to meeting people, which I actually like doing.”
“You two do seem very different.”
“Different and similar at the same time.” Ayane smiled. “My point is that I don’t like the hospital because it’s very lonely. I’d like to leave it, but unfortunately simply wanting something can’t cure you. That’s the only reason none of you have met me.”
“Katsumi didn’t want her enemies to be able to learn you exist.”
“Right. If I wasn’t sick that wouldn’t be a problem.”
Sano raised an eyebrow. “She wouldn’t be trying to protect you if you were healthy?”
“No, she would, just… not the same way. I’m very capable, but my skills don’t mean much whenever I’m weak and can’t even walk straight.”
“Ah, I get it. Well now we can all help both of you. And we can visit.”
“More visitors? I love more visitors!”
A few feet away Katsumi sat sipping her drink and watching her sister talk to Kurasano. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Ayane looked happy, so Katsumi was happy. It must have been visible because Lenora looked at her and smiled knowingly. “You really care about her, don’t you?”
“Mmm.” Katsumi set her drink down, glancing at Lenora. “More than anything. We’re a pair; neither of us would work without the other.”
“I’m glad you have something so important. I know how much you must worry, though.”
Katsumi sighed. “I just… I try not to think about certain things, but it’s hard. Seeing someone you love in a hospital bed, being uncertain if they’ll continue to be there, it’s one of the worst things there is. And I rarely see Ayane outside her bed. I know she hates it, I know she wants to go places and do things; she’s always been an extremely active person. I still hope this will end and we’ll be able to do all the things we keep planning for.”
“Well both of you certainly deserve it. I’m a nurse, I’ve seen many people stuck in hospital beds and it’s always a terrible burden. I know the feeling of helplessness that comes from being unable to do something; I think everyone here is feeling that tonight. At the very least you’re lucky to have so many people feeling that way.”
Katsumi smiled softly. “Yes, I know. Believe me, I know I’m lucky. There’s just one major fear keeping me from being happy and I can’t be truly happy until it’s gone.”
“All of us will support you both until then. This is a good group of people, and they’re determined.”
“I did hand-pick them.”
“Except for me.”
Katsumi smiled. “You’re one of the reasons I picked Reno.”
Lenora blinked. “I am? Why?”
Katsumi looked back to her sister as Ayane laughed, giving a soft smile. “Family is strength.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was just after midnight and Katsumi and Ayane were walking down the dark street without a care, laughing with each other as they shared opinions on the people they’d just left and their reactions throughout the night. They were in a joyous mood, and it seemed like nothing could ruin it. Of course, that’s exactly the time when something tends to happen.
The cloaked figure raced out of the alley as they passed, moving immediately for Ayane after identifying her as the weaker one. He slammed a fist into her stomach, carrying the punch several feet until he ran her into the wall. Lifting his head to see the woman he’d just pinned to the wall he revealed himself to be a vampire; a recently made one, Katsumi was able to judge, not usually a big threat. She had her gun out in an instant but he held a knife to Ayane’s throat, grinning at Katsumi. “Ah-ah-ahh, one more move and I’ll cut this one’s neck.”
Katsumi raised an eyebrow. “Really. I don’t see it working that way.”
The vampire frowned, about to speak when an iron grip on his wrist cut him off. Ayane pulled his hand from her neck, giving him a look. “You have terrible judgment.” She slammed her forehead into his, swept his foot out from behind and stepped to her left, yanking his arm around to slam him into the wall where he crumpled with a moan of agony. “This has to be a training mission, right?”
“Seems like it.” Katsumi looked over her shoulder at the corner of the wall. “The Sire is close.”
A vampire Sire was an older vampire with much greater power and the ability to turn others into vampires if they were willing. They usually took newly created vampires out on ‘training missions’ to teach them how to use their newfound abilities, select prey, and feed. Katsumi had tangled with more than one, and she knew he was going to be a bit trickier than his new apprentice. She tossed her pistol to Ayane, who understood she’d be better using that given her physical condition, leaving the brute force to Katsumi.
The night street was eerily abandoned, as if everyone knew to stay away from it. It grew even more silent as the seconds passed, that calm before its sudden, violent interruption. It came unseen, an invisible strike from the side that hit Katsumi’s face and sent her reeling. Ayane immediately fired to her side and there was a quick rush of air as the vampire dodged. Katsumi threw her fist out and connected with his side, causing the vampire to reveal himself as he caught his footing. His fists came out in a blur and Katsumi went into a backpedal, defending herself from his rapid strikes.
Ayane leapt up to catch a window ledge of the building beside them, pulling herself up onto the narrow perch and firing down over Katsumi’s head, achieving a hit in the vampire’s shoulder. The man, pale, weary and animalistic, growled and drew the blood from his wound, flinging it into Katsumi’s eyes. She responded by lunging forward and shoulder-rushing him, bringing them both to the ground. Ayane fired every time the vampire tried to wriggle out from under her sister, leaving him in a situation where he couldn’t utilize his superhuman speed.
That turned out badly for him as Katsumi slammed her fists down repeatedly. He managed to evade a couple, leaving small cracks in the street from their impact, but eventually the brutal rain subdued him and left him unconscious. Katsumi took a breath and stepped back, lifting him up and throwing him beside the other one.
“Suddenly, vampires! Thousands of them!” Ayane dropped down and handed the pistol back. “I think you’ve been gone too long, Katsumi, chasing terrorists and such things. Dark creatures might start to feel like they can operate here again.”
Katsumi nodded, giving her a smile. “I guess I’ll have to change that, then. Looks like I’m going back to work.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A young woman with brown hair and gentle eyes stood with a sad look on her face as she looked through a store window at a variety of weapons on display. “Do I… really have to?”
“There is… no choice.”
She shuddered a little at the harsh whisper that came from behind her, something she’d never get used to. She looked around but no one else was on the street at this time of night. She then looked back over her shoulder. “Why?”
Cold blue eyes – seeming to be made of pure energy – materialized in the air, glaring at her. There were no pupils, no iris, just a burning blue that emanated pure hostility and danger. “You have asked enough questions!”
“Okay!” The girl sighed, taking a calming breath as she looked back to the store window.
“Okay…”
The sound of breaking glass, an alarm, hurried footsteps, and a few seconds later the girl was clutching a strange old knife in her hands, breathing rapidly with her back against a wall. The floating eyes appeared before her again, as did the harsh whisper. “Don’t panic! You will need a greater will for what I ask of you!”
“I’m sorry! I’ve never committed a crime before!”
“You will perform more than this.”
“I’m a florist, not a criminal!” She glared at the image.
