Working Title Episode 5

Sorry this has been a long time coming, but school is a bear T.T

Raiden came out of Chason’s hospital room and motioned for the others to be quiet. Kohl moved to stand in front of Rai.

“How is he?”

“He’s resting now. The doctor says that he will be released in two days. We have until then to find another safehouse.”

“I understand. Your father had many connections; in fact, Kai has already contacted one of your father’s friends, and he has agreed to harbor us for the time being.”

Rai raised an eyebrow.

“Which one?”

Kohl’s eyes narrowed.

“Kubota Hishazi.”

Rai grimaced.

“Kai! Why’d you have to pick Hishazi?”

Kai put up his hands in a placating gesture.

“He was the first person on the list, and he insisted! I got flustered, it’s not my fault!”

Rai exhaled sharply.

“It’s okay, Kai. I should’ve warned you. The only people who don’t get flustered around Hishazi are deaf people. Even Kohl gets flustered around Hishazi, sorry for snapping.”

Kai sighed.

“S’okay.”

The next day, Chason was released from the hospital and the group piled into the stretch limo sent for them and made their way to Kubota Hishazi’s house. The youngest Takais and the Shirahi siblings had never really met Hishazi, but the remainder of the group were bracing themselves for Hishazi’s somewhat overbearing manner. The car pulled up to Hishazi’s mansion and Kohl smiled as he saw the Takai twins gasp and press their faces against the window to stare at the enormous building. It was Gothic in structure, bearing a striking resemblence to Notre Dame in Paris, France with its many columns and molded capitals and gargoyles everywhere. It was not quite the type of house you would find in rural Japan, but Hishazi was somewhat obssessed with Gothic structures and preferred the attention he got when he was unique.

The limo pulled into the circular driveway right up to the front door where Kubota was waiting for them, his face all smiles. He was in his late twenties, tall, handsome and smartly dressed in a loose white shirt with ruffles down the front and at the ends of his sleeves, black overcoat, tan breeches, and black riding boots that came up to his knees. His eyes were sparkling aquamarine and his long platinum blonde hair framed his face perfectly, making him look slightly boyish- if not feminine- in appearance. Rai smiled weakly as Kubota rushed out to meet them.

“Bonjour! Bonjour! It is simply wonderful to see you all!” He then took Rai’s hands and gave him a light peck on either cheek in greeting. It was apparent to Rai that Kubota had become slightly more French since last they met. But Rai bore it with silent dignity; Chason on the other hand would not have it. Kubota waltzed over to Chason and put his hands on the youth’s shoulders.

“Mon Dieur! What have you done to yourself, mon ami?”

Rai braced himself for the fireworks. Chason glared at Kubota and shouted, “I didn’t do this, you pinheaded fake Frenchman!!! You should know that, you were informed of our situation! Stop being such a freak!”

Yoshi and Siiju’s eyes widened as they watched the argument get underway. Rai rolled his eyes and ushered the boys in, whispering, “This happens all the time.”

The foyer of the mansion had a marble floor that resembled a checker board with a large stair case at the far end that went up to a large landing which branched off into two more stair cases to the right and left. At the top of the landing was a large stained glass window that was an exact replica of Notre Dame’s Rose window. But that was not all Rai noticed, he heard strains of passionate piano music coming from a door to the left. Leaving the boys to follow the butler to their rooms, Rai entered the room the door led to and found Kurai Hishazi, Kubota’s younger brother, playing his brother’s grand piano. The piece he was playing was one of his own compositions and it’s plaintive melody flooded the room with sound. Rai listened for a minute before the young man stopped and turned to Raiden, his glassy eyes staring straight through him.

“Rai? Is that you?”

Rai smiled.

“Yep, you caught me.”

Kurai’s face lit up and he jumped up from the piano bench and hugged Rai. The youth had lost his sight ten years ago in an accident that had also taken his parents. After the accident, the budding pianist was taken in by his older brother, and together the two cultivated Kurai’s gift until he was one of the top ranked pianists in the world. The boy was eighteen, which was an old enough age for him to decide to dye his platinum blonde hair to reddish black, but his eyes were still glassy blue. He was the real reason Rai was here, for Kurai had a special gift that would be key to Rai’s team’s survival. He had the gift of premonition. If something bad was going to happen to Rai and/or his team, Kurai would know. The boy also possessed wisdom beyond his years, and would have been Rai’s advisor if he had not been tied to his career as a concert pianist. But now things had changed, and Rai needed Kurai’s gift and council. Kurai pushed away and stared at Rai with such intensity that Rai swore the boy could see him.

“You’re not here just to visit, are you? Something bad has happened, hasn’t it?”

Rai walked away and looked out of one of the windows in the room.

“What makes you say that?”

Kurai drew his arms around his chest, hugging himself as if to ward off a chill.

“It’s in your voice. I can sense it.”

There was a long pause.

“It’s Hikaro, isn’t it?”

Rai closed his eyes.

“He’s betrayed us. The people I have with me are the only survivors.”

Another pause.

“How many?”

“Five.”

“I knew this would happen. You should have brought him here.”

“I know.”

Kurai sighed.

“You’re here for me. You need my help. My…gift…Is that right?”

Rai turned around.

“Only if you are willing. I would never force you to do anything.”

“I still have no choice. It’s either this or…” Kurai stopped. Rai looked at him and realized that he had seen something.

“What is it? What do you see?”

“I see darkness…You…You’re running from…something. No, wait. It’s…a young man…Hakaija Tashikawa’s youngest brother!”

“Takeru?”

“Yes,…wait something’s happened. You’ve fallen…blood…there’s blood on the ground. Is it your blood or his? I-I can’t tell! No! Stop! Leave him alone!” Kurai covered his eyes, dropping down to his knees. Rai rushed over to him, placing his arms around the boy as he shuddered once and was still. Kurai touched Rai’s arm.

“I’m okay. It’s gone.” Rai released him and he stood up shakily.

“What did you see?”

“You must be very careful in future. Hikaro is ruthless and will stop at nothing until he sees you dead. He has sent Takeru to track down and kill you.”

“Will he succeed?”

“I am uncertain. The future is never set. Some things can be prevented if proper precautions are taken.” Kurai put a hand to his forehead. “And that is all I can give today. I have gone and tired myself out again.”

Rai smiled.

“I guess I’ll be staying in my usual room.”

“Kubota had Henri make it up special.”

Rai put his arm over Kurai’s shoulder.

“Well, let’s go see, shall we?”

“Yes, let’s.” Kurai chuckled, as the two made their way to Rai’s room.

Takeru watched from the shadows as Rai’s group finally proceeded back into the house. He then took in his surroundings, noting all of the entrances and exits and calculating a plan of attack. He knew they expected a night attack, but was he enough of a shinobi to attack in the daytime without making a scene. He was a Jonin, but so was Rai. Takeru bit his lip until it bled, already anticipating the challenge of a daytime assault, this would prove his worth in his brother’s eyes. The “traitor” guise was a perfect front, and Hikaro was the perfect fall guy. This was all part of Hakaija Tashikawa’s master plan, from breaking Hikaro to having Hikaro raze his former comrade’s HQ to having Hakaija’s little brother take Rai out. All underneath the watchful eye of Tsuyoshi, Hakaija’s second and by far his superior. Hakaija was a gang leader yes, but he was mainly a businessman and lacked Tsuyoshi’s visceral nature, preferring to have others get their hands dirty for him. Sure, Tashikawa fought and plotted and stole and cheated, but that was through the brute force of his second. There was a drawback, though, Tsuyoshi was unpredictable and untrustworthy, Hakaija had given Takeru orders to destroy Tsuyoshi if he proved traitorous. Takeru had accepted this mission with eagerness, relishing the challenge of shadowing the psychic without alerting him to his intentions.

But, right now Takeru was shadowing a fellow Jonin, looking for any opportunity to strike. He needed Shonashara alone, otherwise his plan wouldn’t work. He also needed to make this fast, in and out, no distractions, no loose ends. Takeru followed Rai’s movements, waiting for the opportune moment. It wouldn’t be long now.

Rai and Kurai entered Rai’s room and the former took a deep breath and flopped down on the bed. He closed his eyes for a moment then looked at Kurai.

“It’s been so long since I’ve actually felt safe.” He then started when he heard a noise outside his window, then settled back down, smiling ruefully. “Well, almost safe.”

Kurai chuckled and sat on the bed next to Rai. “I guess it can’t be helped. You are a Jonin after all. I suppose a feeling of safety is hard to come by these days.”

Takeru mentally berated himself for being so careless as to step on a twig. He wished the boy that was with Rai would leave so that he could strike. Yet….He looked again. The boy was blind. Why, this was Kurai Hishazi, the renowned teen prodigy. He was a pianist and certainly not a shinobi. What’s more, the boy’s presence put Rai at ease and off guard. Takeru saw his chance and he was going to take it. He pulled out his large shuriken and made his move.

Kurai heard a window crash and Rai cry out in pain then drag him off of the bed to the floor. Kurai’s heart froze, he had heard and felt this before…in his vision. He tried to speak to warn Rai, but he fear stole his voice and all that came out was a shuddering whimper. Rai was breathing hard in his ear, tensing as he must have seen their attacker. Kurai wished he could see who it was, but then Rai snarled the name through teeth clenched in pain.

“Takeru Tashikawa.”

“Well hello, Rai. Did you miss me?”

Kurai felt Rai shudder violently then rise to his feet.

“I’m the one you want. Leave the boy out of this.”

“Now Rai, what kind of shinobi would I be if I left any witnesses?” Kurai heard the rasp of steel and his head turned at the sound. He then felt a rush of wind as Rai left his side and heard a grunt and clash of steel when Rai’s blade came into contact with Takeru’s. Kurai bent over and hugged himself tightly, begging for this all to be a dream, but he was not that lucky. He heard a succession of blows, metal on metal, then Rai snarled in pain and something warm splattered on Kurai’s face. Kurai put his head between his knees.

I can’t take this any longer. I’ve got to go get help! I have to… Kurai jumped up and bolted for the door. His fingers had just wrapped around the handle when he heard Rai yell, “Kurai! No!” Then he felt himself slammed against the door and heard Rai’s shattered cry of defeat. Rai’s breathing fell on Kurai’s neck and Rai barely managed to whisper, “Go, I-I’ll hold…I’ll hold him off….just…just go.”

“Rai.” Kurai breathed as Rai turned the knob.

Kurai fell forward as the door opened to let him out. He heard Rai yell, “Just go!” Then the door slammed behind him, leaving him alone. He lay in the middle of the hallway for a few moments, then curled into a ball and wept.